No male player has won more than five US Open titles, and the tournament has become one of the most difficult major events to defend in the modern era.
The US Open, founded in 1881, is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world and has been the fourth and final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar since 1987. Played on hard courts since 1978, the tournament has proven to be a challenging venue for players in the men’s singles to accumulate multiple titles. However, a few players have managed to secure their place in history by winning multiple US Open titles.
Roger Federer is a five-time US Open champion, sharing the record for the most men’s titles at the tournament. Federer’s dominance in New York was evident as he won five consecutive titles from 2004 to 2008. His first US Open title came in 2004 when he defeated Lleyton Hewitt in the final. Federer continued his winning streak by defeating Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Novak Djokovic in subsequent finals. His 2008 victory against Andy Murray marked his fifth and final US Open title.
Despite reaching the final in 2009 and 2015, Federer could not secure a sixth title. He was defeated by Juan Martín del Potro in 2009 and by Novak Djokovic in 2015. Federer’s remarkable US Open record includes seven finals, ten semi-finals, and 89 match wins from 103 appearances, making him one of the tournament’s greatest champions.
Pete Sampras, like Federer, has also won five US Open titles. His first victory came in 1990 when, as a 19-year-old, he defeated Andre Agassi in the final, becoming the youngest US Open champion in men’s singles history. Sampras continued his success at Flushing Meadows by winning titles in 1993, 1995, 1996, and 2002.
Sampras’s final US Open victory in 2002 was particularly significant as it was his last professional match. He defeated Agassi in a fitting end to his career, securing his 14th Grand Slam title. Sampras’s five US Open titles are a testament to his consistent performance at his home Grand Slam event.
Jimmy Connors was the first player to win five US Open titles in the men’s singles. Connors’ US Open success spanned from 1974 to 1983, with victories on three different surfaces — grass, clay, and hard courts. His first title came in 1974 when he defeated Ken Rosewall in a dominant performance. Connors went on to win titles in 1976, 1978, 1982, and 1983.
Connors reached seven finals during his career, making him one of the most consistent performers at the US Open. Even in the later stages of his career, Connors remained competitive, reaching the semi-finals in 1991 at the age of 39.
Rafael Nadal, best known for his dominance on clay courts, has also enjoyed significant success at the US Open, winning four titles. Nadal’s first US Open title came in 2010, completing his career Grand Slam. He defeated Novak Djokovic in the final to secure the title.
Nadal won additional US Open titles in 2013, 2017, and 2019, defeating Djokovic, Kevin Anderson, and Daniil Medvedev, respectively. Despite injuries that kept him out of the tournament in certain years, Nadal has maintained a strong record at Flushing Meadows with a 4–1 record in finals.
John McEnroe, one of the great American players, won four US Open titles during his career. McEnroe’s first title came in 1979 when he defeated Vitas Gerulaitis. He went on to win titles in 1980, 1981, and 1984, with victories over Björn Borg and Ivan Lendl.
McEnroe also reached five finals during his career, finishing as runner-up in 1985 when he lost to Lendl. His success at the US Open, coupled with his achievements in doubles, makes him one of the most successful players in the tournament’s history.
Novak Djokovic, one of the most successful players in tennis history, has won three US Open titles. Djokovic’s first victory came in 2011 when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the final. He added two more titles in 2015 and 2018, defeating Roger Federer and Juan Martín del Potro, respectively.
Despite his three titles, Djokovic has struggled in US Open finals, losing six of his nine appearances. However, his consistency in reaching the latter stages of the tournament is unmatched, with 11 semi-final appearances between 2007 and 2018.
