The last American man to reach a Grand Slam final was Taylor Fritz, who performed excellently to reach the 2024 US Open final, before losing to world number one Jannik Sinner<\/a> in straight sets.<\/p>\n Almost 22 years ago, 21-year-old Andy Roddick<\/a> warmed the hearts of the American crowd by defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the US Open final, 6-3 7-6 6-3.<\/p>\n After the match, Roddick paid tribute to his coach Brad Gilbert, while also noting a \u2018concern\u2019 he had before heading out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium court.<\/p>\n Andy Roddick was concerned about how he was going to handle the big occasion<\/p>\n After the final against Ferrero \u2013 who now coaches Carlos Alcaraz \u2013 Roddick revealed his state of mind before the match. Despite showing few signs of nerves during the match, Roddick admitted he was unsure as to how he would handle such a momentous occasion.<\/p>\n This was understandable when considering both Roddick\u2019s age and his experience at that point in his career. It was the 21-year-old\u2019s first Grand Slam final.<\/p>\n As per the BBC, Roddick said after the final: \u201cI was concerned about how I was going to handle the big occasion.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hardest thing is fear of the unknown.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I was baffled by how calm I felt out there. I almost didn\u2019t feel anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Roddick went on to credit his coach, Brad Gilbert, who had previously worked with Andre Agassi, and would go on to coach Andy Murray.<\/p>\n Roddick said of Gilbert: \u201cIt was huge,\u201d said Roddick. \u201cWe have a great camaraderie. We just click. He knows what to say to me, when to say it. He makes things simple for me, which helps a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Gilbert would later seek to minimise his role in Roddick\u2019s triumph, saying: \u201cIt\u2019s been an unbelievable three weeks. He\u2019s [Roddick] got an amazing game and talent, I changed nothing. I was just the right guy at the right time.<\/p>\n \u201cI just knew from the first practice he had the game. He needed more strategy. He\u2019s 21, he\u2019ll get better.<\/p>\n \u201cHe definitely can serve better. Andy\u2019s serve was a way of taking out his nerves.\u201d<\/p>\n Andy Roddick\u2019s route to US Open glory<\/p>\n After dismissing British hope Tim Henman in straight sets, Roddick came through a tough four-set battle in the 2003 US Open second round against Roger Federer\u2019s<\/a> future coach, Ivan Ljubi\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n Three straight sets victories followed, before a gargantuan match against David Nalbandian in the semi-final.<\/p>\n Roddick was two sets to love down against his Argentinian opponent. However, he saved a match point in the third set before turning the tie around, eventually winning the match 6-7 3-6 7-6 6-1 6-3.<\/p>\n In the final, fourth seed Roddick defeated third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero, cementing himself as an American tennis legend.<\/p>\n RoundOpponentResultR128Tim Henman6-3 7-6 6-3R64Ivan Ljubi\u010di\u01076-3 6-7 6-3 7-6R32Flavio Saretta Filho6-1 6-3 6-3R16Xavier Malisse6-3 6-4 7-6Quarter-finalsSjeng Schalken6-4 6-2 6-3Semi-finalsDavid Nalbandian6-7 3-6 7-6 6-1 6-3FinalJuan Carlos Ferrero6-3 7-6 6-3<\/p>\n Roddick would go on to reach four more Grand Slam finals in his career. However, he never managed to capture a second major title, losing to Roger Federer in all four finals.<\/p>\n![\"Winner](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2171209904-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Jean Catuffe\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Andy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2531877-1024x668.jpg\")
Photo by Al Bello\/Getty Images<\/p>\n