"If Ben Shelton can match Carlos Alcaraz, maybe he's the guy": John McEnroe's brother Patrick backs Shelton as the solution to US men’s Slam drought
John McEnroe's brother Patrick has backed Ben Shelton as the American man most likely to win a Grand Slam title, highlighting the 22-year-old's ability to match Carlos Alcaraz's level of play. McEnroe explained why he favored Shelton over the likes of Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz.
No American man has won a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick's triumph at the 2003 US Open. While Fritz recently came close by making a run to the final of this year's edition of the New York Major, Jannik Sinner kept the drought alive by claiming a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win to clinch his second Major title.
On the latest episode of the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast, Patrick McEnroe shared his thoughts on the prospects of the current American stars. The 58-year-old considered Sebastian Korda, but he asserted that the 24-year-old was proving to be too "physically fragile" to make a title run at a Major.
McEnroe also acknowledged that Taylor Fritz was the most consistent American man. However, he expressed his belief that too many elements would need to align for the World No. 6 to clinch a Grand Slam title.
"I’d like to say there’s a younger American. I’ve always been high on Korda but he just seems a little bit fragile physically. He can’t quite stay healthy enough to be a factor in a big tournament," McEnroe said.
"Then you’ve got Fritz who’s the most consistent American guy. I think a lot of things have to break right for Fritz to win a Major but he got to the US Open final, that was a hell of an effort," he added.
Patrick McEnroe contended Ben Shelton had the most potential to break through among his compatriots, highlighting the 22-year-old's clash against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Laver Cup.
Although Alcaraz claimed a 6-4, 6-4 victory, McEnroe pointed out that Shelton held his own against the four-time Grand Slam champion for much of the thrilling contest. He suggested that if the World No. 23 could match Alcaraz's athleticism and shotmaking, he was likely the best bet to end the drought for American men.
"I think Ben Shelton’s got the most upside and even watching him at the Laver Cup, which I’ve been lucky to do for the last two years. Watching him play that match with Alcaraz, he lost in straight sets but the first 7-8 games, that was like tennis in a different stratosphere," he said.
"He couldn’t do it for two sets and obviously to be able to do it over five sets is another story but he did it for eight games. So if he can do it for eight games and match Alcaraz in the athleticism department and the shotmaking department then maybe he is the guy," he added.
"Ben Shelton certainly got the moxie, the belief" - Patrick McEnroe on American not being 'intimidated' by the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Patrick McEnroe further made the case for Ben Shelton as the most likely American man to end their Grand Slam drought, emphasizing that the 22-year-old wasn't intimidated by top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Although McEnroe conceded that Shelton wasn't as consistent as his compatriots like Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, he expressed his belief that the World No. 23 was aware of which aspects of his game needed improvement.
"He’s (Ben Shelton) certainly got the moxie, the belief and he’s not intimidated by those guys in a way. I think he realizes what he’s going to have to do to get better but you’re right, he may be the American guy with the most upside," McEnroe said.
"He’s not as consistent at the moment as Fritz, as Tommy Paul but we’ll see how it shakes out. The good news it we’ve got four or five guys that should be in the mix for the next 5-7 years," he added.
Ben Shelton is currently in action at the 2024 Swiss Indoors Basel, set to take on Arthur Fils in the semifinals of the ATP 500 event. Following his campaign in Switzerland, the American will compete at the Paris Masters alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, among others.