The surprising American hero of the US Open was a 17-year-old unknown
United States men’s tennis continues to urgently await its Grand Slam champion. Ben Shelton lost in the final against the German Alexander Zverev the same opportunity you had Taylor Fritz in 2024 against the Italian Jannik Sinner. The reference continues to be Andy Roddyckthe best of the US Open in 2003, at the expense of the Spanish Juan Carlos Ferrero.
They have a good batch. In addition to Fritz, the natural leader by results and age, and Shelton, Frances Tiafoe also shone once again, there is Tommy Paul, the young people are coming strong Alex Michelsen, Learner Tien or Brandon Nakashima. The country has five top-10, five top-20, seven top-50.
A lot of quantity, also a certain quality, although another matter is having a clear Grand Slam option. Given the problems of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner During this campaign, the one who has been noticed has been Alexander Zverev.
The USTA’s resources are millionaires thanks to the US Open. Although he did not measure his current youth production well. In his guide of under-18 tennis players to follow in the last Grand Slam, it does not appear who gave the most performance, the surprising Marcel Latakwho raised match balls to the junior no. 1, the Brazilian Gusto Miguelto be the champion.
Unexpected from his 41st position in the category ranking, he won 3-6, 7-5 and 7-6 (15-13) in 2h.44′. There hasn’t been a home champion since Taylor Fritz beat Tommy Paul in the 2015 final. And he almost won the doubles, which he delivered against the Frenchman Aaron Gabet and the Spanish Valentín González-Galiño.
Latak, from a Polish immigrant family, is only the tenth USA tennis player in the world under-18 ranking, far from the popularity of Michael Antonius or Jordan Lee. However, he was the American hero.
He has won his last twelve singles, before the US Open he won the J300 in Repentigny, in Canada. His future is in the NCAA, in the university championship, with Stanford. A route towards professionals that is currently very popular. Rafa Jodarthe most obvious exponent in recent times.
The Brazilian Gusto Miguel, also 17 years old, goes directly to professionals, he already has semifinals in ATP Challenger tournaments. As a close reference, Joao Fonseca. Farther away, Gustavo ‘Guga’ Kuerten. It already has popular devotion, but also pressure.
