It’s been more than 21 years since Andy Roddick’s image fell to his lap after winning the 2003 US Open. This was the last time an American man won a Grand Slam tournament. This is a drought that continues even after Tommy Paul and Francis’ Tierfour were eliminated in the French Open Quarter Finals on Tuesday.
Tierfoe was thoroughly eliminated by Italian Lorenzo Musetti, losing 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. The news got worse for Paul, who was hit by a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 by Carlos Alcaraz, extending the open drought in France dating back to Andre Agassi in 1999.
American men have begun to approach major grand slam breakthroughs in recent years. Paul and Tierfoe ran great, but there were also Ben Shelton, who fought in a ridiculous effort that lost his fourth round effort against Alcaraz, and Taylor Fritz, who played the finals at the 2024 US Open.
The gap has been further closed, which was revealed by Paul and Tierfoe. Both have been in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
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Austin Nivison
Why didn’t Americans win a Grand Slam for so long?
Simply put, 2003 was the beginning of an era defined by the success of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Federer won the first slam of 20 Grand Slams at Wimbledon in 2003, with Nadal’s 22 first 22 people at the French Open the following year, and Djokovic’s first 24 people at the 2008 Australian Open. From 2004 to 2022, the trio only didn’t win 12 Grand Slam events.
As Federer and Nadal head to retirement and Djokovic at Twilight, his 38-year-old career, a new generation of players fill the gap at the top of the game. So far, Alcaraz and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner have filled the gap and won seven of their last 10 Grand Slam events. Djokovic won the other three. Naturally, all three men are still living in the open French.
Can Americans break through?
Shelton’s efforts against Alcaraz, the best clay court player in the game, was Herculian. He pushed Alkaraz on all sets and gained much respect from the world’s second place in the process.
Paul was overwhelmed by Alcaraz, but it was a bad matchup on paper for the Americans. And tearfo? Well, like anyone, Tearfoe was hot and cold, and Tuesday was a cold day.
John McEnroe crossed the keys in the importance of American breakthroughs for the future benefits of the game during a press conference before the tournament.
“The important thing is, you have to get Ben Shelton to get Ben Shelton,” McEnroe said. “We have to get American men to win some majors. That would be even more interesting if it were Tiafoe or Tommy Paul (step-up). Our sport requires a new generation.
