Novak Djokovic’s Loss ‘Certainly Opens The Door’ For Americans To Win U.S. Open

BERLIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Frances Tiafoe of Team World, Ben Shelton of Team World and Taylor Fritz of Team World respond during a Team WorldPractice Session astatine Uber Arena connected September 19, 2024 successful Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

Getty Images for Laver Cup

With Novak Djokovic’s stunning first-round exit from the U.S. Open, the doorway appears moreover much unfastened now for an American man to triumph a awesome title for the first clip since Andy Roddick 23 years ago.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner isn’t successful the tie owed to a knee injury, Carlos Alcaraz is playing for the first clip successful 4 1/2 months pursuing a wrist wounded and now the 24-time awesome champion Djokovic is retired connected Day One.

“It’s been truthful agelong since an America won it, it has surely unfastened the doors for the likes of a Ben Shelton who we’ll spot [Monday night], among others,” John McEnroe said connected ESPN. “Taylor Fritz has been successful the finals, truthful this is going to beryllium very absorbing to spot really the Americans do.”

Entering the tournament, Alcaraz was the betting favorite, followed by French Open champion and No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev, Djokovic and past Shelton, per DraftKings. Now Djokovic is gone aft the first information astatine a awesome for the first clip since 2006.

Fritz made the U.S. Open last successful 2024. Frances Tiafoe (2022 and '24) and Shelton (2023) person each made the semis successful caller years.

Tommy Paul has made astatine slightest the quarters astatine each awesome extracurricular of New York.

You besides person younger American men for illustration Brandon Nakashima and Learner Tien.

“There’s a bully group location that’s sewage a existent chance successful this tournament,” McEnroe said.

Patrick McEnroe, John’s brother, picked Shelton to triumph the title coming in. The 23-year-old left-hander from Atlanta pinch the immense service is coming disconnected defending his title successful Cincinnati and appears successful apical shape aft having to discontinue successful the 3rd round a twelvemonth agone pinch a enarthrosis injury.

“There's truthful overmuch opportunity aft being injured past year, crashing retired successful the 3rd information present and not being capable to do overmuch for the remainder of the twelvemonth after,” Shelton said. “I deliberation this past 4th of the 2026 season, I'll beryllium afloat steam up and spot what we tin do.”

But the American has a tricky tie starting pinch Dutch No. 56 Tallon Griekspoor Monday nighttime successful Ashe.

“I’m picking Big Ben, I’m going for it,” Patrick McEnroe said Monday connected an ESPN convention telephone up of the Open. “I for illustration Shelton to triumph the Open, and I tin extremity getting this mobility aft 20-some years. ‘When’s the adjacent American going to triumph a major?’ I’m sick of it, I’m tired of it.’”