Monday's edition of the ATP rankings makes happy reading for those of a red, white & blue persuasion. In the latest milestone for the recent rise of American men's tennis, 10 U.S. singles players feature in the post-Australian Open Top 50.
The American men enjoyed a historic campaign in Melbourne as Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul and Sebastian Korda all reached the quarterfinals—with Paul progressing to the final four. It was the first time since 2000 that three American men reached the last eight Down Under, and the first time the U.S. had three quarterfinalists at any Grand Slam since the 2005 US Open.
Former Florida Gator Shelton is the biggest riser this week in the rankings, soaring 45 places to a new career high of world No. 44 following his dream AO debut.
Paul, behind his semifinal run that ended at the hands of eventual champion Novak Djokovic, cracked the Top 20 for the first time at No. 19. He joins American No. 1 Taylor Fritz (world No. 8) and US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe (world No. 15) in that elite group.
The 25-year-old spoke of the pride he takes in representing the U.S. after his quarterfinal victory against Shelton.
"It's important to me," said Paul, who will lead the U.S. Davis Cup team in his sixth tie next week in Uzbekistan.
Ben Shelton at the Australian Open. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.
Tommy Paul at the Australian Open. Photo credit: Getty Images
Sebastian Korda at the Australian Open. Photo credit: Getty Images
J.J. Wolf at the Australian Open. Photo credit: Getty Images
"We all want to perform. Obviously, Frances was pretty damn close at the US Open to getting past the semis. Who knows what would have happened in the final," he continued. "I think we all want it pretty bad for ourselves, but we want it for U.S. tennis, too."
Korda is on the brink of the Top 20 himself at No. 26, also a career best. The 22-year-old was forced to retire with a wrist injury in what was his first major quarterfinal. He also reached the Adeliade International 1 final before the Australian Open, getting to match point against Djokovic in a three-set defeat.
J.J. Wolf, who also scored his best Slam result in Melbourne by reaching the fourth round, joins Shelton in breaking into the Top 50 for the first time. The former Ohio State star jumped 19 spots to a career-high world No. 48, having seen his AO run ended by Shelton in five sets.
Rounding out the American presence in the Top 50 are No. 38 Jenson Brooksby, No. 42 John Isner, No. 49 Reilly Opelka and No. 50 Brandon Nakashima. The 22-year-old Brooksby made waves early in Melbourne when he stunned No. 2 seed Casper Ruud in the second round.
The American effort at the Australian Open also included Mackenzie McDonald's second-round upset of 2022 champ Rafael Nadal and Michael Mmoh's career-best major run to the third round, which lifted him back into the Top 100 at a new career high of world No. 83.
8. Taylor Fritz
15. Frances Tiafoe
19. Tommy Paul
26. Sebastian Korda
38. Jenson Brooksby
42. John Isner
44. Ben Shelton
48. J.J. Wolf
49. Reilly Opelka
50. Brandon Nakashima
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