American tennis star Ben Shelton believes he and his compatriots are closing the gap on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two players who dominated the Grand Slam scene in 2024.

Sinner and Alcaraz: The Grand Slam Dominators

Sinner capped off the 2024 season with two Grand Slam titles, triumphing at the Australian Open and US Open. Meanwhile, Alcaraz asserted his dominance at the French Open and Wimbledon Championships, showcasing their rivalry as a defining feature of the season.

American Tennis Rising: Shelton’s Confidence in the Pack

Shelton expressed optimism about the progress of American players during an interview with The Tennis Channel. Highlighting the achievements of his peers, Shelton pointed to a strong showing on the ATP circuit:

• Taylor Fritz finished runner-up at the US Open and ATP Finals, achieving a career-high ranking of World No.4.
• Frances Tiafoe reached the US Open semifinals, continuing his upward trajectory.
• Shelton himself made waves by reaching the 2023 US Open semifinals.

“The current American group is doing better and better every year,” Shelton remarked.
“You saw Taylor Fritz at the US Open this year, you saw Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals as well. I think we are continuing to improve. We have a Spaniard and an Italian to chase ahead of us, but we are getting there, we are definitely getting there.”

Exhibition Battle: Alcaraz vs. Shelton

Shelton recently faced Alcaraz in an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden, where the Spaniard edged him out in a thrilling contest, winning 4-6, 6-2, 10-7 in front of a sold-out crowd.

Conclusion

With 2025 fast approaching, the American players, led by Shelton, Fritz, and Tiafoe, are setting their sights on disrupting the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner. Will their collective efforts bear fruit next season? Only time will tell.