It’s now been over 20 years since an American man last won a major singles title, and there’s little sign of that changing at Roland Garros this year.
Andy Roddick remains the most recent champion, having captured the 2003 US Open title more than two decades ago.
Over the years, several players have come close to ending the drought but haven’t managed to get across the line.
The current crop is still searching for a breakthrough, with Frances Tiafoe among those carrying hopes. Ranked 21st in the world, he enjoyed his best finish at Roland Garros by reaching last year’s quarter-finals and will be looking to build on that in this campaign.
Frances Tiafoe opens up on long wait for US Men’s Grand Slam champion
Speaking to the media before the tournament got underway, Tiafoe gave his take on where things stand:
“It’s been nice for a long time. I think we’ve been killing. It’s a matter of we just have some guys. It’s just top heavy, man. We’, you know, they’re gatekeeping hard. I mean, I think, you know, Fritz has been top ten for a bunch of years,
“Ben’s cracked in there. He’s kind of solidified himself being a top ten guy. I mean, I’ve been top 20 majority of years the last four years. Tommy as well. He’s been flirting in and out, so.
“We got Korda, I mean, you know, if he’s healthy, you know, he’s always, again, top 20. But it’s his manner of just putting these weeks together, and trying to do the ultimate goal, and one of us try to win, and this type of event.
“You know, Ben won 1000, you know, Fritz won 1000, you know, I’ve been final of a 1,000, so we’re all flirting with the top of the game. We just got to kind of get over the line.”
How American players performed at the Australian Open
The Australian Open featured a strong showing from the American contingent, with four players making it to the fourth round.
Tommy Paul, Learner Tien, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton each reached the round of 16, with Tien and Shelton going one step further by reaching the quarter-finals.
Tien was beaten in five sets by Alexander Zverev, while Shelton lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner.
This time around, Shelton will be the top-seeded American when he takes the court at Roland Garros.
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