By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Photo credit: Garrett Ellwood/USTA/US Open
The Outlier: Djokovic
In today’s tennis landscape, Novak Djokovic stands apart as a significant outlier. He is the only player outside of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to have won a Grand Slam singles title recently.
Recent Dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz
Currently, Sinner and Alcaraz, occupying the top two spots in the world rankings, have dominated the Grand Slam scene, capturing eight of the last nine titles. Djokovic’s victory at the 2023 US Open is the only exception in this impressive streak.
Future Predictions on Grand Slam Championships
Given the current dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, will they continue to sweep Grand Slam titles for the next two to three years? The answer is nuanced, according to ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe.
An American New Dawn?
In a notable assertion, McEnroe believes that while Sinner and Alcaraz will likely dominate, an American player will win the US Open this year. He is optimistic that an American man, potentially Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, or Frances Tiafoe, will break the long dry spell for U.S. players.
The American Dry Spell
The last time an American man won the US Open was in 2003 with Andy Roddick. To illuminate the situation, Ferrero has secured more Grand Slam titles as a coach in the past three years than all American men combined since Roddick’s victory.
Hope for Disruption
Mary Joe Fernandez also weighed in, predicting that Sinner and Alcaraz would trade Grand Slam titles over the next few years. However, she sees the potential for Ben Shelton, a 2023 US Open semifinalist, to disrupt their reign and claim his first major title.
Shelton’s Progress and Potential
Despite still developing his return game, Shelton has displayed remarkable promise, boasting an impressive serving percentage this season. His ability to harness crowd energy and deliver in high-pressure situations could place him in contention to fulfill McEnroe’s prophecy.
