The US is still waiting for its next Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick in 2003. With the 2026 US Open right around the corner, former ATP pro Patrick McEnroe’s confidence in his countrymen’s prospects at Flushing Meadows was high. However, one player earned the highest praise.

“I think I’m going to go with Ben Shelton now. … He’s had the best summer, winning Canada, he’s got the most upside I’ve been talking about of all the American men for a couple of years now,” said McEnroe in a New York Post interview. “With Alcaraz being a little bit suspect, he could get upset, he could lose early, and I think Shelton has a decent game to match up with him.”

McEnroe’s Ben Shelton prediction is quite punchy, but it is mostly based on the fact that Alcaraz will be coming into New York, having last played on clay in April, with the Spaniard’s last hard-court match being in March. It still remains to be seen if the Spaniard has fully recovered from his wrist injury and will be able to play his attacking style of tennis.

McEnroe is not far off from his assessment that Shelton will be one of the favorites going into New York, as the American has won four titles this year, including his brilliant title run in Canada. However, Shelton has faltered at Grand Slams this year, with first- and second-round exits at his last two Slam appearances.

Get the Break Point Newsletter. Daily tennis news spanning the WTA, ATP, and Grand Slams — from on-court action to off-court storylines.

Shelton and Alcaraz were projected for a quarterfinal clash at the US Open last year, but the American’s injury-forced retirement in the third round prevented it. This year, with Alcaraz going in as the second seed and Shelton as the potential eighth seed, the two will not meet before the quarterfinals. However, as per McEnroe, by then the Spaniard will have picked up his form and shaken off any rust he might have.

“Clearly, if they played late in the tournament, that would mean that Alcaraz is feeling pretty good and would likely be the favorite if they do play, but I think if ever there were an opportunity for Big Ben to kind of put it all together, this would be the spot, this would be the place,” said McEnroe.

That said, another factor in Shelton’s favor is Sinner’s withdrawal. Shelton has found it tough to get past the Italian, losing nine matches in a row. With the World No.1 not there, Shelton will hope to be on the other half of the draw from Alcaraz, which would give the American the best chance of a deep run.