The Elusive North American Hardcourt Triple Crown: Can Ben Shelton Join Tennis’s Most Exclusive Club?

In the demanding world of men’s professional tennis, achieving sustained excellence across different tournaments in a single season is a rare feat. Even rarer is the “North American Hardcourt Triple Crown”—winning the Canadian Open, the Cincinnati Open, and the US Open in the same calendar year. This grueling three-tournament sweep on hardcourts tests a player’s endurance, consistency, and mental fortitude like few other challenges on the ATP Tour. As of the current season, only three men in the Open Era have etched their names into this elite fraternity. Now, a rising American star, Ben Shelton, stands on the cusp of potentially making it a four-man club.

The Storied Three: Architects of the Hardcourt Sweep

The list of players who have conquered the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and US Open in a single year is astonishingly short, underscoring the immense difficulty of the achievement. Each of these champions showcased an unparalleled peak of form during their respective North American summer swings.

Patrick Rafter: The Pioneer of 1998

The Australian serve-and-volley maestro, Patrick Rafter, was the first to accomplish this formidable triple in 1998. Rafter dominated the North American circuit that year, winning the Canadian Open without dropping a set, defeating Richard Krajicek in the final. He then went on to lift the trophy at Cincinnati, overcoming Pete Sampras in a tough three-set battle. His remarkable summer culminated in a successful defense of his US Open title, where he defeated compatriot Mark Philippoussis in the final. This impressive run solidified his status and silenced critics, becoming known as the “American Summer Slam”.

Andy Roddick: American Power in 2003

Five years later, American powerhouse Andy Roddick added his name to this exclusive list in 2003. Roddick’s summer surge began with a commanding victory over David Nalbandian in the Canadian Open final. He followed this up with a hard-fought win at the Cincinnati Open, saving two match points against Mardy Fish in the final. Carrying immense momentum, Roddick capped off his unforgettable season by winning his maiden and only Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. His triumph marked the last time an American man won the US Open.

Rafael Nadal: The Clay King’s Hardcourt Masterclass in 2013

Perhaps the most surprising, yet equally dominant, addition to this club was Rafael Nadal in 2013. Known predominantly as the “King of Clay,” Nadal’s hardcourt prowess that year was undeniable. Returning from a significant knee injury, the Spaniard triumphed at the Canadian Open in Montreal, overcoming Milos Raonic. He continued his red-hot form in Cincinnati, where he defeated John Isner in a tight final. Nadal then completed the extraordinary sweep by conquering the US Open, triumphing over his great rival Novak Djokovic in a four-set final. His 2013 season is widely regarded as one of his best, featuring 10 tour-level titles and a 75-7 win-loss record.

The Challenge: Why the “Triple Crown” is So Rare

The “North American Hardcourt Triple Crown” is a testament to extraordinary physical and mental resilience. These three tournaments are played consecutively or with very little break, demanding peak performance over several weeks against the world’s best. The Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open are ATP Masters 1000 events, meaning they offer significant ranking points and attract top-tier talent, essentially Grand Slam-level competition without the major title status. Following these two demanding tournaments, the US Open, a Grand Slam, requires a player to win seven best-of-five-set matches over two weeks.

The relentless nature of the hardcourt season, combined with the depth of talent on the ATP Tour, makes winning even two of these events in a row exceedingly difficult, let alone all three. Players must maintain their physical health, tactical sharpness, and mental intensity through intense matches, often under varying weather conditions. The fact that only three players have managed this in the Open Era speaks volumes about its rarity and the sheer dominance required. Andre Agassi, for instance, won the Canada-Cincinnati double in 1995 but did not follow it up with a US Open title that year.

Ben Shelton’s Shot: A Four-Man Club in the Making?

Fast forward to 2025, and American sensation Ben Shelton has already completed the first leg of this monumental journey. The 22-year-old left-hander recently captured his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open (National Bank Open) in Toronto, defeating Karen Khachanov in a thrilling final. This victory propelled Shelton to a career-high ranking of World No. 6 as of August 8, 2025.

Shelton has demonstrated significant prowess on hardcourts, reaching the semifinals of the US Open in 2023 and securing his first ATP title on the surface in Tokyo in 2023. His game, characterized by a powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, is well-suited to the fast hardcourts of North America. He is also exhibiting remarkable clutch play, as evidenced by his Toronto triumph where he came from behind and won multiple tight matches.

Currently, the Cincinnati Open is underway, and Shelton is a strong contender. He is even seeded for a potential quarter-final rematch against Khachanov. His current form, confidence from a Masters 1000 win, and past success at the US Open (semifinalist in 2023) position him as a legitimate threat to achieve this historic “Triple Crown.”

However, the path remains arduous. The Cincinnati field is packed with top talent, including in-form players like Jannik Sinner who is also performing well in the tournament. Even if Shelton navigates Cincinnati, the US Open presents its own unique challenges, with the pressure of a home Grand Slam and the best-of-five set format.

For Ben Shelton, the opportunity to join Patrick Rafter, Andy Roddick, and Rafael Nadal in this exclusive club is a compelling narrative for the remainder of the North American hardcourt swing. While the challenge is immense, his recent triumph in Canada has proven he possesses the game and the mental resilience to contend for such extraordinary achievements. All eyes will be on him as he attempts to write the next chapter in the history of the “North American Hardcourt Triple Crown.”