It has been a long time since an American man or woman won the ATP/WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open. Andre Agassi was the 2002 champion. Serena Williams won in 2013 and 2014.

The American tennis players are typically at a disadvantage during the European clay court season. They do not grow up training on the surface because it is not prevalent in the US.

Which American men and women can push through the 128 player singles draws and be crowned champions at the end of the tournament?

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Our best hope on the ATP side is Ben Shelton. He is coming off a big win at the BMW Open last week. Shelton is the first American man to win a 500-level tournament on clay in decades.

Tommy Paul, who won the ATP 250 US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston, has high aspirations also.

Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen are the next generation players to watch. The childhood friends are also playing doubles together.

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Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion and last year’s Mutua Madrid Open finalist, is the most likely American woman to win the tournament.

Jessica Pegula, who won on the green clay at the Charleston Open, Madison Keys, and Iva Jovic are also players to watch.

Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda, and Amanda Anisimova are highly ranked players who are injured and unable to play in Madrid this year.

Watch the Mutua Madrid Open through May 3 on Tennis Channel.