Tennis great John McEnroe believes Ben Shelton is the man who will finally end the long wait for a male American Grand Slam champion.

While there have been plenty of successes in the women’s game, Andy Roddick, who retired 12 years ago, is the last man to be crowned.

His US Open triumph in 2003 came at the tail end of an era which saw Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras rack up titles.

Since then, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have dominated tennis, while Europeans Jannick Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have picked up the baton recently.

But all-time great McEnroe thinks Shelton can turn the tide having spent time with the stars of USA tennis at the Laver Cup.

The 21-year-old went from world No.96 to No.17 this year, reaching the US Open semi-finals and winning the Japan Open.

“I see Ben in the top five in the world if he keeps progressing,” said McEnroe.

“I think he’s got the ability. He wants it. He’s worked at it. He’s better than he was to me a year ago, more complete.

“But I think he’s going to be up there with those guys, and that would be great.”

World No.7 Taylor Fritz is currently the highest ranked American man, with Tommy Paul (13th), Frances Tiafoe (15th), Sebastian Korda (16th), and Shelton all in the top 20.

Fritz was beaten by Sinner in this year’s US Open final, but McEnroe thinks Shelton will go one better soon.

“I think American tennis is getting closer,” he added.

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“Taylor was in the final. Frances has been in a couple of semis. Ben’s been in the semis.

“We’re going to make the breakthrough.

“Ben, I believe, is going to make a breakthrough in the next couple of years.”

Beaten US Open finalist Jessica Pegula is top of the women’s rankings for the US at No.3 in the world.

And Coco Gauff will be looking to move up from sixth after parting ways with legendary coach Brad Gilbert.

The 63-year-old helped inspire her US Open triumph in 2023.

Gilbert was appointed as the 20-year-old’s coach 10 months ago off the back of that triumph, but confirmed he had left his role in a statement on Wednesday.

“Thank you @bgtennisnation ! We had an incredible run and I wish you all the best in the future!” Gauff posted on X following the announcement.

Their split comes after Gauff’s shock loss to Emma Navarro in the fourth round of the US Open.