John Isner picks the American male tennis player he is most excited about and has the best chance to win Wimbledon

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American men’s players continue their search for an elusive Grand Slam title this month, hoping to be the one to end the drought.

Former ATP number one Andy Roddick represents the last American man to win a Grand Slam title, having triumphed at the US Open in 2003.

Pete Sampras meanwhile is the last American man to win Wimbledon, which is currently underway in London.

Sampras was successful at Wimbledon in 2000, when he won the grass court Grand Slam for the fourth successive year.

The nation’s hopes of further success are now falling on a handful of players, namely Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul.

The American men’s player John Isner is most excited about as Wimbledon starts

And speaking on Tennis Channel, former American professional John Isner has now shared which of his compatriots he is most excited about on the ATP Tour.

Isner commented: “I think the one who excites me the most is probably Ben Shelton. His game is so huge.

“He might take some early first round losses, which we saw in Queen’s and Mallorca to Lerner Tien, but he picks up his level when the stage is big, so I expect him to play very well at Wimbledon.

READ MORE: Learner Tien makes American tennis history after beating Ben Shelton in Mallorca

“Once he can get his feet wet in the tournament he is a crazy tough out because he plays with such flair and confidence. He has such a big game, his serve is ridiculous. He is so athletic.

“I think Ben Shelton in my mind is the guy that has probably the best chance to break through in a huge event like Wimbledon in the next three to five years.”

Who are the top 10 American players in the ATP Tour in the rankings?

Shelton has enjoyed superb progress on the ATP Tour this season, having recently broken the top 10 for the first time in his career.

But he remains behind Fritz in that regard, with the 2024 US Open runner-up currently fifth in the ATP rankings.

READ MORE: The next most likely American to win a Grand Slam following Ben Shelton’s top 10 debut 

It is, however, European players who dominate the standings, with Italian Jannik Sinner at the very top of the pile.

He is followed by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and German Alexander Zverev in second and third respectively, with Briton Jack Draper in fourth.

And unfortunately for the American men, their European counterparts continue to dominate the sport as Wimbledon gets underway.

Moreover, their female counterparts are doing their lack of success no favours, with Americans Madison Keys and Coco Gauff winning the 2025 Australian Open and French Open respectively.

Fritz has come the closest to ending the painful men’s drought in recent times, having lost last year’s US Open final to Sinner.

And Shelton also produced a valiant effort at the 2025 Australian Open, but once again it was the world number one who ended his hopes, this time in the semi-finals.

Also excited about Shelton is Brad Gilbert, but Jimmy Connors favours Tommy Paul for Wimbledon success over him and Fritz.