When was the last time an American won the US Open?
Three American players are still in contention as the 2024 US Open reaches the semi-final stages of both men’s and women’s competitions.
Home fans at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadow are hoping that they may see an American claim the US Open title this weekend, with plenty of US representation in the final four of both the male and female competitions.
On the men’s side, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe go head-to-head in the second semi-final. Meanwhile Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro have each made it to the final four of the women’s competition, opening the possibility of an all-USA final this weekend.
Who was the last American to win the US Open?
If an American is successful in either of this weekend’s finals it will represent a second consecutive US triumph at the US Open. Last year Coco Gauff picked up the first Grand Slam title of her career with a US Open victory, beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Then just 19 years old, the American fought back after losing the first set against the more experienced Sabalenka, winning 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 in a gruelling final.
Before that, Sloane Stephens made history for the U.S. back in 2017 when she beat Venus Williams (6-1, 0-6, 7-5) in the semi-finals before triumphing Madison Keys in the final ( 6-3, 6-0). That was Stephen’s first Grand Slam singles title and she became the first American woman other than Venus and Serena Williams to win a major since Jennifer Capriati in 2002.
Serena Williams came close again in 2018 and 2019 but was beaten by Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andrescu. Madison Keys and Jennifer Brady also reached the semi-finals in 2018 and 2020 but were eliminated.
Who was the last American male to win a Grand Slam?
In the men’s category, the wait for a Grand Slam singles title is substantially longer. Andy Roddick was the last American male to win a Grand Slam, clinching the US Open title back in 2003. Roddick beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final to win his first and only Grand Slam victory.
He and Andre Agassi reached the US Open finals of 2005 and 2006 but both were beaten by Roger Federer. Those runs were the last time that an American man reached the semi-finals of the US Open.
There is hope, however, that the wait may soon be over. There’s an all-American semi-final in this year’s US Open with Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe going head-to-head. Whoever wins will progress to Sunday’s final, where they can count on the support of a vociferous home crowd.