Ben Shelton begins US Open run with Grand Slam drought in focus

Ben Shelton begins his US Open run on Monday night against Tallon Griekspoor in the first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The former Gator has established himself as one of the top American men in the sport, sitting inside the top 10 all year. Taylor Fritz is the other top American, with Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien and Brandon Nakashima also among the country's top players. All five are participating in the US Open, and they are looking to break one of the sport's most notable droughts.

No American man has won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz have dominated Grand Slams over the past few years, but this year's US Open provides a unique opportunity. Sinner isn't competing after a knee injury forced him to withdraw 10 days before the tournament started, and Alcaraz is just coming back from a four-month absence after dealing with his own injury.

In other words, it's anyone's tournament to win. Of course, Alcaraz is the favorite, assuming he's at peak form, and Zverev has to be a clear No. 2. He sits above 7,000 live ranking points, while no other player in the field has more than 3,900. But Shelton and Fritz remain outside contenders to end the American drought on home hardcourt.

Shelton's recent Montreal Masters 1000 title snapped a streak of early exits in big tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon. He likes playing in big matches, is healthier than he was earlier in the year and will have the support of the American crowd. Former American tennis star and ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe has Shelton's back, too.

"I'm picking Big Ben," McEnroe told SportsBoom . "I'm going for it. I like Shelton to win the Open. I can stop getting this question after 20-some years: When is the next American going to win a major? I'm sick of it! I'm tired of it."

McEnroe admits Alcaraz is the favorite, even with the long absence, but the Americans have their best chance in recent memory. Shelton isn't blind to the situation.

"I think to kind of discredit the group that is playing high-level tennis right now wouldn't be smart," Shelton said. "Going into a tournament like this, I think I always have respect for whoever is playing. I try not to over-respect my opponents, obviously. But I think it is a very important part of who I am as a person and how I look at my tennis game and the tournaments I'm playing in."

First things first: Shelton needs to beat Griekspoor in the first round on Monday at 7 p.m. ET. Only then can he start to worry about the rest of the bracket.

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