The 2026 US Open may feature the most wide-open men’s singles draw there has been at a Grand Slam this decade.
World number one Jannik Sinner will not be competing at Flushing Meadows this year, with the Italian having suffered a knee injury.
His rival, Carlos Alcaraz, will make his return to singles action at the US Open after not featuring at a tour-level event since the Barcelona Open in April, but the Spaniard is unlikely to be at his very best.
What would you consider a success for Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open?
He hasn’t played since April…
In an era dominated by Sinner and Alcaraz, the current situation leaves an opportunity for several stars to capture their first Grand Slam title.
It also means the 23-year-old drought of American men at majors could finally come to an end.
Andy Roddick previews the 2026 US Open
The last man hailing from the US to win a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick, who clinched the trophy at the 2003 US Open.
Since then, a number of compatriots have come close by reaching a major final, including Roddick himself, Andre Agassi, and most recently Taylor Fritz.
“I know we’re all sick of hearing about no men’s Grand Slam winners since, you know, 2003,” said Roddick in an interview with People ahead of the US Open.
Where do you rank Ben Shelton on the list of favorites for the US Open title?
He has never won a Grand Slam title…
“I think there’s a very real chance on the men’s side, and I know that conversation and that pressure mechanism is gonna get ratcheted up.
“It’s not just, like, one or two guys. We have six or seven really good players on the men’s side. We’re acting like the American women right now, where we have lots of options.”
The highest-ranked American in the men’s draw is Ben Shelton, who will be seeded eighth at the US Open.
Fritz will be the ninth seed, while Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien, Brandon Nakashima and Tommy Paul are all also top 20 seeds.
Ben Shelton’s form ahead of the 2026 US Open
Shelton is arguably America’s best hope of a Grand Slam champion, and the 23-year-old has certainly been impressive so far during the hard-court swing.
After reaching the quarterfinals of the Washington Open, Shelton secured his second ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open.
Shelton went back-to-back in Montreal, earning wins over Jakub Mensik, Tien, Joao Fonseca and Nakashima.
Shelton did not drop a set en route to becoming the first player since Rafael Nadal in 2019 to defend the Canadian Open title.
His best result at the US Open was achieved back in 2023, when he made the semifinals of the hard-court major.
That year, Shelton was beaten by eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the final four stage.
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