US Open American men's drought explained: Who were the last home champions?
Six Americans are in the hunt for the US Open 2026 title (three each in ATP and WTA)
American men ruled tennis for most of the Open era. From Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe through Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, a home winner at the US Open was nearly the default for three straight decades, and Andy Roddick kept that run going as recently as 2003.
Roddick’s 2003 triumph in New York after beating Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets remains the last Grand Slam won by an American man across all Majors, not just at the US Open. That drought is now in its third decade, with 2026 marking 23 years since he lifted the trophy.
It hasn’t been for lack of talent, for American tennis. Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe have spent long stretches as the only Americans holding down top-20 rankings this decade, and all three have reached major semi-finals or better. But whenever it has mattered most, the big names have been in the way.
Fritz lost the 2024 US Open final to Sinner, while Shelton has struggled to get past Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The talent has been there, but the results against the very best haven’t quite followed.
Related: First since Serena! Aryna Sabalenka matches elite record with quarter-final win at US Open 2026
American women have had better luck
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On the WTA side, the gap has been far smaller. Coco Gauff won this title in 2023, and Madison Keys added the Australian Open in 2025, so American women haven’t had to wait anywhere near as long to see a Slam come home.
USA’s best shot at success?
This year, though, the men’s picture looks unusually open. Shelton is already through to the quarter-finals, where he faces defending champion Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen meet in an all-American last eight clash that guarantees one of them a semi-final spot.
Fritz had an incredible opportunity to win his maiden Grand Slam, but a twin-set shocking loss ended his hopes.
With Novak Djokovic out in the opening round, Sinner absent through injury, and several other seeds gone early, the draw has thinned out in exactly the way American fans have been waiting for. If there was ever a US Open primed for a first American men’s champion since 2003, this looks like it.
Who was the last American man to win the US Open?
Andy Roddick was the last American man to win the US Open, claiming the singles title in 2003.
Who was the last American woman to win the US Open?
Coco Gauff was the last American woman to win the US Open singles title, claiming victory in 2023.
Which American has won the most US Open singles titles across genders in the Open Era?
Chris Evert and Serena Williams share the record for the most US Open singles titles by an American across genders in the Open Era, with six titles each.
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