In Paris, it’s been 30 years since three American men simultaneously reached the second week of the French Open, with the last instance involving tennis legends Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, and Jim Courier. Unlike their illustrious predecessors, today’s American trio—Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe—took their positions on the courts at Roland-Garros eager to make their mark.
Jessica Pegula, who also advanced to the fourth round, expressed excitement about seeing her fellow Americans compete, remarking on the rejuvenated American presence in the tournament. Joining her in the round of 16 were Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova, and Hailey Baptiste, showcasing strong performances from U.S. players on both the men’s and women’s sides.
The American men faced stiff competition: 13th-seeded Ben Shelton faced defending champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, 12th-seeded Paul clashed with Alexei Popyrin from Australia, and 15th-seeded Tiafoe matched up against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. The U.S. has not seen multiple male players reach the quarterfinals since the days of Pete Sampras and Jim Courier in 1996, with the tournament’s slower red clay traditionally posing challenges for American players often more accustomed to hard courts.
Tommy Paul, an Australian Open semifinalist, noted the challenge but felt confident, acknowledging that every player can excel on clay. He spoke about past reservations regarding the French Open despite his win in the junior division back in 2015, but now views it as a valuable opportunity.
Historically, Andre Agassi remains the last American man to clinch the French Open championship in 1999. Prior American successes at the tournament include Jim Courier’s consecutive titles in the early ’90s and Michael Chang’s victory in 1989, while Tony Trabert won in 1954 and 1955. In contrast, American women have secured 15 singles titles during the Open era, with notable contributions from Chris Evert and Serena Williams.
Frances Tiafoe, who hails from Maryland, stressed the importance of focusing on present opportunities, having previously faced a tough start at Roland-Garros. Although he enjoys the fervent support in New York, he finds Paris presents a new, more subdued experience.
Ben Shelton’s clash against Alcaraz was anticipated to be anything but low-key. Both players, recognized for their dynamic and entertaining styles, brought excitement to Court Philippe-Chatrier. At 22, the same age as Shelton, Alcaraz has already amassed four Grand Slam titles across clay, grass, and hard court tournaments. Shelton, a former NCAA champion from the University of Florida, was keen to bring his growing prowess on clay into the spotlight, describing the opportunity as a “cool experience” he intends to embrace fully.