‘Disrespectful’: US star taking stern stance ahead of grand slam
Jannik Sinner may not be in the main draw at the 2026 US Open, but American star Ben Shelton has warned that no one should underestimate the field in his absence.
The world No.1 was forced to pull out of the final grand slam event of the year as he continues to recover from a right knee injury he has been battling since July.
Shelton in action on the practice courts Getty Images
Sinner’s withdrawal has opened the door for the next group of stars to thrive, with Carlos Alcaraz, the tournament’s reigning champion, only coming back to the competitive arena for the first time in four months due to a wrist injury.
Alcaraz is still on top of the betting odds to successfully defend his title, with Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic also lead contenders to do so.
But Shelton is one of the outside favourites to steal glory from the top-ranked trio, along with 19-year-old Rafael Jodar, Taylor Fritz and Arthur Fils.
Expected to make a deep run on the courts at Flushing Meadows, Shelton is confident that he will be able to impress in front of a how crowd.
To do that, he insists he must avoid looking too far ahead at his draw.
“I’m focused on my first round, the first match - I don’t think too far beyond that,” he told reporters ahead of the tournament opener.
“I don’t look at the draw other than who I’m playing in the first round. I think that’s the only way for me to be able to stay in the moment.
“I know how much quality that there is in the draw. I think it’d be disrespectful to just think, ‘oh, there’s no Sinner; it’s a massive opportunity’.
“You have guys who’ve won slams this year like Zverev ... Novak’s in the draw. Guys who’ve won big titles and have been in great form, whether it’s Jodar, Arthur Fils.
“All the American guys are pretty dangerous on the surface, and I think that to discredit the group that is playing high-level tennis right now wouldn’t be smart.
“Going into a tournament like this, I think that you know I always have respect for whoever is playing. I try not to over-respect my opponent, obviously.”
Shelton reached the quarter-final at the Australian Open in January, having been eliminated by the power of Sinner. He then bowed out in the second round of the French Open before a shock first-round defeat ended his Wimbledon campaign.
Despite his recent early exits, of all the American male tennis stars in the draw, former world No.1 John McEnroe believes Shelton is the best chance to win.
“If (Alcaraz) doesn’t go all the way, I think the door is more open for the American male players. I’d go with Ben Shelton (to win),” he said on the US Today.
“It would be nice to break that streak of 23 years of an American male not winning a major.”
The US Open will begin in the early hours of Monday morning on August 31 AEST.
