BERLIN, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Frances Tiafoe of Team World, Ben Shelton of Team World and Taylor Fritz of Team World react during a Team WorldPractice Session at Uber Arena on September 19, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
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With Novak Djokovic’s stunning first-round exit from the U.S. Open, the door appears even more open now for an American man to win a major title for the first time since Andy Roddick 23 years ago.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner isn’t in the draw due to a knee injury, Carlos Alcaraz is playing for the first time in 4 1/2 months following a wrist injury and now the 24-time major champion Djokovic is out on Day One.
“It’s been so long since an America won it, it has certainly open the doors for the likes of a Ben Shelton who we’ll see [Monday night], among others,” John McEnroe said on ESPN. “Taylor Fritz has been in the finals, so this is going to be very interesting to see how the Americans do.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 24: Ben Shelton of the United States reacts against Ignacio Buse of Peru during their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Entering the tournament, Alcaraz was the betting favorite, followed by French Open champion and No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev, Djokovic and then Shelton, per DraftKings. Now Djokovic is gone after the first round at a major for the first time since 2006.
Fritz made the U.S. Open final in 2024. Frances Tiafoe (2022 and ’24) and Shelton (2023) have each made the semis in recent years.
Tommy Paul has made at least the quarters at every major outside of New York.
You also have younger American men like Brandon Nakashima and Learner Tien.
“There’s a good group there that’s got a real chance in this tournament,” McEnroe said.
Patrick McEnroe, John’s brother, picked Shelton to win the title coming in. The 23-year-old left-hander from Atlanta with the huge serve is coming off defending his title in Cincinnati and appears in top form after having to retire in the third round a year ago with a shoulder injury.
“There’s so much opportunity after being injured last year, crashing out in the third round here and not being able to do much for the rest of the year after,” Shelton said. “I think this last quarter of the 2026 season, I’ll be full steam ahead and see what we can do.”
But the American has a tricky draw starting with Dutch No. 56 Tallon Griekspoor Monday night in Ashe.
“I’m picking Big Ben, I’m going for it,” Patrick McEnroe said Monday on an ESPN conference call ahead of the Open. “I like Shelton to win the Open, and I can stop getting this question after 20-some years. ‘When’s the next American going to win a major?’ I’m sick of it, I’m tired of it.’”