The Last Time a Black American Man Reached a Grand Slam Final Was 30 Years Ago. He’s Watching This One Very Closely.

The US Open is abuzz with excitement over Ben Shelton’s chances at this year’s tournament, and for good reason: he’s the top-ranked American man competing. However, as we watch him battle it out on the court, let’s not forget that his success – along with that of fellow Black player Frances Tiafoe – is part of a larger narrative about racial equality in sports.

For two decades now, American men have struggled to make an impact at the Grand Slam level. The last time one reached a final was 30 years ago, a drought that has been dubbed “the shame of American tennis.” This year’s tournament marks something different: it’s a chance for Shelton and Tiafoe to break through not just on their own merits, but also as symbols of progress.

Their journeys are distinct yet intertwined. Both players have spoken out about the racism they’ve faced in the sport – from jokes and stereotypes on social media to overt hostility at tournaments. For Tiafoe, this has meant shouldering a disproportionate burden: competing not just for himself, but also representing the hopes of an entire community.

MaliVai Washington, the last Black American man to reach a Grand Slam final in 1996, understands this weighty expectation. His own experiences give him a unique perspective. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, tennis was a rare luxury – and even rarer for African Americans. He remembered being turned away from certain clubs because of his skin color.

Washington’s legacy is one that Shelton and Tiafoe are carrying forward. But they’re also part of a new wave of Black players who are pushing back against the old narratives. For Washington, seeing them succeed is personal: “I’d like to see one of those two be the next,” he said. “It’s been way too long.”

The treatment of Tiafoe and Shelton on social media serves as a stark reminder that despite progress, there’s still much work to be done in confronting the uncomfortable truth that racism has always been a part of this sport – not just in its history but also in its present.

Shelton’s response to a racist joke at the Australian Open last year was a turning point: it marked a moment when the tide began to shift in his favor. Yet, even as he gains momentum, there are those who will try to undermine him – with subtle or overt racism, with jokes and stereotypes.

Tiafoe’s story is more complex still. As one of the few Black men competing at the top level, he faces a constant battle for recognition. He’s spoken out about feeling like he has to work twice as hard just to be seen as equal – and that his success will always be tainted by the racism he faces.

Yet even in the face of this treatment, both players have made history: Tiafoe became the first Black men’s US Open semifinalist in half a century last year. And now, as they compete for the top prize at Flushing Meadows, we’re reminded that their success is not just about individual achievement – but also about what it means for the sport as a whole.

The tennis world will be watching this tournament closely, eager to see if Shelton and Tiafoe can break through. But as they battle it out on the court, let’s remember the bigger story: that their success is part of a larger narrative about racial progress in sports – one that requires us all to confront our own biases and prejudices.

For Washington, Shelton, and Tiafoe, there’s a weighty expectation that comes with being Black players in a sport where racism has been entrenched for so long. It’s an expectation they must navigate every time they step onto the court – not just from their opponents but also from their own community.

Washington remembers feeling like he was carrying the hopes of his family and community on his shoulders when he competed at Wimbledon in 1996. He was the first Black man to reach a major final since Arthur Ashe in 1975, and the pressure was palpable.

Today, Shelton and Tiafoe face similar expectations – not just from their fans but also from themselves. They know that their success will be seen as a symbol of progress for African Americans in tennis – and that they must live up to that expectation.

Arthur Ashe’s legacy is complex and multifaceted: he was a trailblazer who broke down barriers for Black players, but also someone who faced his own share of racism on the court. His story serves as a reminder that progress in tennis has always been slow – and often painful.

Ashe won three Grand Slams, including Wimbledon in 1975, but it’s his off-court activism that really cemented his place in history. He was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice, using his platform to speak out against racism and inequality.

Shelton and Tiafoe are part of a new generation of players who are carrying on Ashe’s legacy – not just in their tennis but also in their activism off the court. They’re using their platforms to speak out against racism and advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in the sport.

As we watch Shelton and Tiafoe battle it out at this year’s US Open, let’s remember that their success is part of a larger narrative about racial progress in sports – one that requires us all to confront our own biases and prejudices. The road ahead won’t be easy: there will be setbacks and challenges along the way. But for Shelton, Tiafoe, and Washington, there’s no going back. They’re part of a new generation of players who are pushing forward with courage and determination – and changing the face of tennis forever.