Roland Garros is right around the corner, and with it comes renewed hope for all those on the tour.
Whilst the women’s side of the draw is set to be far more predictable, with Iga Swiatek’s current form simply impossible to deny, others cannot be discounted as outside chances.
However, the men’s draw is set to boast one of the most open Grand Slam tournaments in recent memory, with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s struggles for form, and Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s injury woes providing a power vacuum.
So, this might mark a particularly fine opportunity for a US star to step up to the plate and do the unthinkable at a major tournament. Serena Williams was naturally the last American female to win Roland Garros, but on the mens side you’d have to go back to 1999, when Andre Agassi lifted the trophy.
Of the many, many Americans set to partake in the French Open this year, there are arguably four standouts.
Taylor Fritz
When taking both the men and women into consideration, and the veritable toughness of the latter with the world number one in such blistering form, it is hard not to favour a male winner if there is to be an upset.
And from the USA’s never-ending roster of stars, few have impressed on clay of late like Taylor Fritz.
The world number 12’s relationship with the dirt has been a complicated one over the years, and he has never actually reached beyond the third round at Roland Garros.
However, he has never been on a run like this before, where he is a true threat to anyone he faces. This has been exemplified in his run to the final in Munich, the semi-final in Madrid, and the quarter-final in Rome.
Three impressive back-to-back showings on clay have even spurred on the nickname ‘Claylor’. Having never really threatened at a Grand Slam before, this certainly marks a fine opportunity for him to step up.
Coco Gauff
An unsurprising addition to this list given she is the world number three, Coco Gauff inexplicably is far less likely than Fritz to win Roland Garros.
However, that is solely due to the Swiatek-sized obstacle she would have to overcome, which few seem capable of doing.
A finalist in Paris back in 2022, where she actually lost to the 22-year-old in question, it seems unlikely that she will shock the world to do it this time around.
But in a one-match shootout, anything can happen. Gauff is still expected to go deep.
Danielle Collins
Now whilst Danielle Collins might seem a sentimental pick, given she is due to retire at the end of this season, in a year of firsts for the 30-year-old it would be foolish to bet against a deep run for the American.
After all, before 2024 she had won just two titles. Already that figure has doubled, one of which was a Masters 1000 Event.
Not to mention that she is performing admirably on clay too, having been stopped by Aryna Sabalenka in the Round of 16 and the semi-finals of Madrid and Rome respectively.
She will have to summon an almighty amount of strength to finally overcome the Belarusian, who she just cannot beat at the moment.
Tommy Paul
The final choice, Tommy Paul has shot himself into contention with a similarly impressive run of his own in Rome.
Thwarted only by Nicolas Jarry in the semi-finals, in a match he really should and could have won, it feels like the 27-year-old has finally moved on from the ankle injury that was plaguing his early 2024.
Moving freely on the dirt, a win would not be completely out of the question for the 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist.
After all, to write anyone off from the men’s draw completely would be a foolish move.
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