No American man has won a Grand Slam singles title since 2003.
Andy Roddick, the former world number one, remains the last American man to win a major singles title.
Roddick captured his one and only Grand Slam title when he defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 US Open final.
Some have come close to ending the nation’s barren run; including Taylor Fritz, who was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the 2024 US Open final.
There are 15 American men currently ranked within the world’s top 100, including Fritz, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.
Emilio Nava, speaking exclusively to Tennishead, has discussed who he believes has the best chance of becoming the next American man to win a Grand Slam singles event.
Emilio Nava says Ben Shelton is the American man who has the best chance of winning a Grand Slam title
“Pretty good question. I think we have 16 or 15 players in the top 100 as of this week,” Nava, the world number 87, said. “So that’s pretty good. So our chances are a little higher with that.
“I mean, it’s tough not to go with our number one right now, Ben,” the American added. “He’s got the athletic side of it. He’s a great mover. Huge serve, massive forehand.
“I think he needs to maybe clean up a few things. I mean, I’m talking, but he needs to maybe clean up a few things.
“But I think I would say, if I was a betting man, I’d put it on Ben. I think he’s got all the weapons in the arsenal.
“He just needs to figure out maybe which ones to use at what time. But I’m always rooting for him.”
Shelton, the new world number five, has performed exceptionally at Grand Slam events thus far, despite his relatively young age.
The American superstar has already recorded semi-final appearances in Melbourne and New York, and one quarter-final appearance in London.
Ben Shelton’s best Grand Slam performances to date
- Australian Open – Semi-finals in 2024 [lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner]
- Roland Garros – Fourth round in 2025 [lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz]
- Wimbledon – Quarter-finals in 2025 [lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner]
- US Open – Semi-finals in 2023 [lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic]
Shelton enjoyed a good start to the 2026 season. However, his form has suffered since winning the Munich Open in April.
The 23-year-old has won only two of his last six matches, most recently losing to Raphael Collignon in the French Open second round.
Emilio Nava discusses what he has learned from Ben Shelton
Nava and Shelton recently played each other at the Munich Open.
Shelton emerged victorious, narrowly defeating his compatriot 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 in the round of 32.
Following the contest, Shelton described Nava as ‘probably my best friend out on Tour.’
Speaking to Tennishead, Nava discussed his friendship with Shelton, and the inspiration he has taken from the top-five star.
“He took the title in Munich. He beat me first round there. It was a good match actually [smiling]. But no, we’re really close. He’s a good friend. I’m close with his dad as well,” said Nava, who recently won his seventh career ATP Challenger title in Germany.
“And we have conversations about the sport and how to improve. And I think Ben’s five in the world right now, and he’s a close friend.
“So I ask him questions. I try to pick his brain as to why he’s number five and why he’s there and what he’s doing – and of course, there’s no secret formula.
But I do like to pick his brain. It’s understanding that not every day you’re going to be at 100%. But trying to play your matches better and better, no matter how you feel, I think is a big factor in having a ranking so high.
“Ben’s super cool. He’s a great guy. His whole team is amazing. It’s motivational to have been in the top 10, top five now.
“I feel like if he can do it, why not me? So I’m working hard, I’m trying to put in the hours and trying to stay stable mentally to be able to do that day in, day out, week in, week out.
Nava then reiterated his point, reemphasising what he has learned from Shelton since joining the Tour.
“There are some days that he [Shelton] maybe serves great, but there are other days that he doesn’t serve so great – and he still manages to take those matches under his belt and win those matches.
“And that’s because he learned to overcome those moments when he’s not feeling amazing and every ball is going in and he’s feeling the ball great.
“How can I finish this match playing better than you? I think that’s something he does pretty good, I would say.”
Who is now the best active ATP player without a Grand Slam title after Alexander Zverev’s French Open victory?
Emilio Nava states his ATP goal for 2026
Nava has enjoyed a commendable year on the Tour, securing victories over the likes of Matteo Berrettini, David Goffin and Valentin Vacherot.
The 24-year-old also won his seventh career Challenger title on Sunday, following the withdrawal of an injured Luka Mikrut.
“I think, first of all, stay healthy,” Nava said of his goal for the rest of the season. “I think last week, as an example of that, my opponent couldn’t play his final, which is brutal.
“But that’s what this sport is. We play 50 weeks out of 52 – it’s absolutely brutal. So try to stay healthy, stay consistent with the results.
“I know you can’t control the results, but trying to stay consistent with my level throughout the year and always try to improve my mentality, because I think that’s, for me, the biggest thing to letting me compete at my 100 per cent is having my mentality squared away and everything clear.
“That lets me play free and that lets me compete at my highest level.”
Emilio Nava explains how his partnership with Electrolit has benefitted him on the court
Nava recently partnered with Electrolit – a hydration company that offers powders and drinks that include ‘five vital ions’: Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride and Potassium.
Speaking to Tennishead about his new partnership, Nava discussed how the new collaboration is supporting his journey on the ATP Tour.
“I mean, I’ll take this past week and this upcoming week as an example. It’s happened pretty often. I travel for six, seven hours, and then I take a bus, and then I got to go to the site, and I got to hit,” the American said.
“And then I got to be ready for tomorrow’s match. It’s a lot and the body alone can’t really stand it alone, so you end up trying to trying to add something to the regimen.
“And, for me, that was adding Electrolit to the team, to be able to let me perform at my highest level tomorrow because that’s what my job is ultimately: to try and go out and just give my best, give my all.
“And if I can have one more tool in the shed, I need it. It’s helped me up to this point, and I think it’s definitely going to continue to help me, and I can’t wait. I feel great.”
Nava is playing in the Bratislava Challenger this week.
The American, seeded second, won his first match – beating Brazil’s Pedro Boscardian Dias.
Nava is also competing in the doubles alongside Argentina’s Alex Barrena.
