Roddick and Shelton-backed Lee out to end American US Open drought
Remember Jordan Lee from Wimbledon? That’s right, the Lamine Yamal lookalike who celebrated his maiden Junior Grand Slam title by imitating the surfer goal celebration of Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha.
The 16-year-old could well be throwing more shapes later this week as he continues his bid to become the first American boy in more than a decade to conquer all before him at the US Open.
The last to be crowned boys’ singles champion at Flushing Meadows was Taylor Fritz in 2015, while Andy Roddick was the last American to win two Junior Grand Slam boys' singles titles in the same year back in 2000. That is a fate which could well be awaiting Lee.
Incidentally, Roddick has been hugely complimentary about Lee, suggesting he is a prospect which the United States has not had for some. At the same time, he also preached caution, insisting there was no rush for his talent to develop.
US Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton is another to have spoken about the teenager in glowing terms, which stems from the two of them practicing together at the USTA National Campus in Florida.
“It has been great practicing with Ben,” said Lee. “I've said it a couple times, it's scary playing him. His serve is huge and it feels like he takes over the whole sport with his presence, which is something I'm trying to do in a way.
“I mean, we're all different, but I feel like I kind of do that with my game. The guy is just so explosive – big serve, big forehand, moves well, pretty much knows how to do everything, it's tough to keep an eye on.”
Later today, Lee will face Brazil’s Luis Guto Miguel, who earlier this year conquered all before him at the Roland Garros Junior Championships and is currently the top-ranked boy on the planet, for a place in the semi-finals. A blockbuster clash awaits.
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Talking of Junior Grand Slams, it is often interesting to know how Junior Grand Slam titles are celebrated or how life changes. Of course, players will have other ambitions as their career progress but, at the time, a Junior Grand Slam title is a significant accomplishment.
One player that randomly springs to mind is Ane Mintegi Del Olmo, who was invited to meet Felipe VI, the King of Spain, at Palacio de la Zarzuela after winning the 2021 Wimbledon girls’ title. For Lee, however, there appears to have been little fanfare – he is very much taking things in his stride.
“For me, it's just the same,” he said. “I think no matter who I am, it will always be the same. Obviously, with winning of Wimbledon and the popularity of that tournament, I think that's a bit more.
“But I feel like that's just what comes with it and it's just something that I enjoy, it's not a case of needing to change something about my personality. Like I say, I enjoy it – any kid would want to be in that position.
“That said, I didn’t necessarily expect things to go as quickly as they have this year. I mean, I felt I had the level and that it was just a matter of time and a case of getting more matches. I was ready to make the little steps but didn’t expect all of this.”
Back to Roddick and his praise of Lee, who has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the former world No. 1 by lifting silverware the US Open – Roddick did so as a junior and, of course, a pro.
“It was funny because him and my mom (Tina Lee, a USTA coach who works with elite players) were very good friends in juniors,” added Lee, who was a member of the United States team crowned 2025 Davis Cup Junior champions.
“He's right. Just because I won the Wimbledon boys’ title, it doesn't mean I'm going to be the next anything.
“And I don’t feel any pressure to be the next big thing. Any pressure is just the pressure that I put on myself to be the best player and the best person I can – on and off the court.
“It is great that we have a really strong generation of Americans coming up with me, Michael (Antonius), Andy (Johnson) – all the boys in the draw are just really solid. We all train together. We all know each other really well, and we're all pushing each other.”
That they certainly are. Could the wait for an American boys' champion at the US Open be about to end/ Time will tell.
A full list of results from the 2026 US Open Junior Championships is available here.