John McEnroe has shared his thoughts on who he thinks is America’s best male player right now.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion is in Berlin, Germany preparing to captain Team World for the final time at the Laver Cup.
He is aiming to go out on a high after winning the 2022 and 2023 events against Team Europe who won the first four editions of the event.
McEnroe will be able to call upon some of his fellow Americans to help him win the Laver Cup for a third straight year, and he has been watching their progress very closely throughout the season.
Who does John McEnroe think is currently America’s best tennis player?
John McEnroe is one of several American players who enjoyed plenty of success throughout the second half of the 20th century.
But since 2003, no American male has claimed a Grand Slam title or reached the top of the ATP Tour world rankings.
But the US currently have five players inside the top 20, three of which will be competing for Team World at the 2024 Laver Cup: Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe.
Team World’s captain has been watching their progress this year and ahead of the tournament, McEnroe named Shelton as the US’ best player, and wants to end his Laver Cup captaincy on a winning note.
“This is my last year as captain so I want to go out in style, this is a big time for me. America are getting closer but let’s remember nine of the top 10 are still European, so we have our hands full!,” he told CNBC Television.
“The first four years we lost, I compared ourselves to the Harlem Globetrotters vs the Washington Generals and we were the Generals. We are making our move now.
“We have a couple of Americans, I think Shelton is at the top of the list right now, who could do big things. Tiafoe is getting closer and Fritz was in the final. I think you are going to see a breakthrough in the next year or two.”
American players have been battling for the number one spot in 2024
During the 2024 season, the American players have been competing for their nation’s number one spot.
There was little to separate Fritz, Shelton and Tommy Paul and Tiafoe’s run to the Cincinnati final and US Open semi-finals put him back into contention.
Sebastian Korda’s also had a resurgence this season, but after Fritz made his first US Open final, he re-entered the top 10 and currently has a healthy lead over his compatriots.
He became the first American to reach the US Open final since 2006, but Fritz suffered a straight sets defeat to Jannik Sinner.
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