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.