‘Can an American Finally End the Drought?’ – Tennis World Ponders Amid Sinner’s US Open Exit and Alcaraz Mystery

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal from the 2026 US Open, along with Carlos Alcaraz’s return after over four months away, has changed the picture at Flushing Meadows. With the two biggest names either out or lacking match practice, many believe that the final Grand Slam of the year looks wide open and could present a huge opportunity for the rest of the field, especially rising American ATP stars, such as Ben Shelton.

Tennis World Reacts as Jannik Sinner Exits US Open and Carlos Alcaraz Returns From Injury

On Friday, Sinner announced his decision to skip the US Open due to a right knee injury.

“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” Sinner stated. He added that he still needs more time to recover after returning to the court in Monte Carlo.

The 25-year-old has had a strong 2026 season, winning the first five Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. Sinner is 44-3 this year and has won six titles, including back-to-back Wimbledon titles. But he hasn’t played since his Wimbledon win.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz announced on Thursday that he is finally ready to return to action in New York, where he is the defending champion. However, he has not played a competitive match in months, leaving fans and analysts unsure how much impact he can make by jumping straight into a five-set Grand Slam.

Reacting to this situation, renowned coach Brad Gilbert noted on X that with ‘Sin City’ out and Alcaraz playing his first event back since spring, the men’s draw is entirely unpredictable, reminding fans that “23 years has been a very long time for an American winner.” The last American man to win the US Open singles title was Andy Roddick in 2003.

One fansummed up the mood among tennis fans by asking, “Can an American Man (Shelton, Fritz, Tiafoe, Tien, Paul) finally end the drought?” Many believe this could open the door for American contenders like Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Brandon Nakashima, Tommy Paul, and rising talent Learner Tien.

Shelton’s best result at his home Grand Slam came in 2023, when he reached the semifinals. Tiafoe has also made it to the semifinals in 2022 and 2024, while Fritz reached the final in 2024.

Another supporter reposted a video of Tiafoe’s quarterfinal win against Lorenzo Mussetti at the Cincinnati Open, writing, “Bunch of Americans trending up going into the US Open. Should be interesting w/o Sinner and Alcaraz returning.”

Interestingly, the Cincinnati Open champion has won the US Open every year since 2023. This year, two of the four semifinalists are Americans, Frances Tiafoe and Brandon Nakashima, with Nakashima beating Taylor Fritz in the semifinals.

Another X user said that if he had to pick a US Open winner, he would go with Shelton. He pointed out that the World No. 6 can already hold serve well and has now improved his return game and ability to break, which could make a big difference. Shelton recently defended his title at the Masters 1000 event in Montreal, securing his fourth title of the season.

MORE: ‘Don’t Think He’s Thinking About Jannik Sinner Being Injured’ – Rusedski Weighs In on Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open ‘Risk’

There is, of course, Novak Djokovic, who is chasing his record 25th Grand Slam at 39, along with Alexander Zverev, who won the French Open this year. Still, many believe the draw remains wide open.

The main draw in New York will begin on August 30.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.