After Novak Djokovic beat the lone American, Bobby Reynolds 7-6, 6-3, 6-1, there are now no American men left at Wimbledon 2013. Unfortunately, this is the first time in the Open Era that no American men are left at Wimbledon in the third round. All American seeds have dropped out early or have withdrawn from the tournament.
Of 11, no American men left at Wimbledon
At the start of 2013 Wimbledon, there were 11 American tennis players:
Sam Querrey (ranked 19)
John Isner (ranked 21)
Rajeev Ram (ranked 86)
James Blake (ranked 87)
Michael Russel (ranked 95)
Ryan Harrison (ranked 97)
Steve Johnson (ranked 98)
Denis Kulda (ranked 105)
Wayne Odesnik (ranked 107)
Bobby Reynolds (ranked 156)
Alex Kuznetsov (ranked 173)
1911 was the last year that at least one American started the men’s singles, and no American man reached the 3rd round at Wimbledon. Granted, the conditions have obviously been tough but still, the US is really lacking any male to make it to the second week of a major!
Andy Roddick was the last great American tennis player on grass
Andy was the most consistent grass court American tennis player of the recent generation, going 86-22 and taking 5 titles (reaching Wimbledon finals 3 times). Since then, the American men have not quite figured out how to use the power game they were taught to their advantage on the slick, low-bouncing surface.
It’s really a sad day for American men’s tennis. That’s the bottom line. The US can learn a thing or two from the rest of the worlds’ tennis dominance, perhaps, the US should teach some tactical tennis and point construction instead of blasting away from the baseline?
At least there are Americans on the WTA, right?
The saving grace for USA tennis is all bundled on the WTA. With the pure dominance of Serena Williams right now, that’s what is carrying the interest of the sport in the US. Controversy or not, Williams is doing her thing and just winning tournaments at the speed of her serve.
Behind Serena, there are a few ladies that are climbing the ranks; Sloane Stephens, Jamie Hampton, Varvara Lepchenko, Madison Keys, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands. All of which are hanging around in the top 50. That’s more than what the men are doing right now (only 3 men in the top 50).
Hopefully during the 2013 US Open, the men will get their act together and reach the second week of that major. Other wise, the future of American men’s tennis is looking rather gloom.
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