No U.S. Representation in Monte Carlo

How embarassing is it for U.S. tennis that there is not a single american player in the main draw of a Masters Series event??? There weren't any americans even in qualifying. And just because it is on clay does not grant the typical lazy excuse of: americans don't play well on clay. I am sick and tired of hearing that line.
I know Roddick is injured, but where are Blake, Fish, Ginepri?????

After the last of his era (Agassi), american tennis will be in an abyss for the forseeable future. Even if you don't count Federer's dominance, there are many young players waiting in the wings who will be at the top of tennis: Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Berdych, Baghadatis, as well as several young Argentine and Russian prospects.

The only thing keeping american tennis buoyant is the Bryan Brothers.

Agassi, Courier, Chang,Sampras, & McEnroe hardly ever played Monte Carlo. And they won 4 FOs & made 9 finals combined, its not about the clay, more about Americans not wanting to stay in Europe until July(after Wimbledon) That is a long time to be away from home.

Also, Monte Carlo has traditionally been skipped by many top 10 players over the years, I think the claycourt season is too long, many don't want to start it that early. The first North American MS is only played 3 weeks before the US Open, while Monte Carlo is played 7 weeks before the French. Does that make sense? Why do players need to play more on clay than hardcourt? Jim Courier didn't play Monte Carlo before rolling over the field at the French in '92. Many of the best claycourters over the years were burned out by the time Roland Garros came around & were upset.

Surprised Spadea didn't go, hasn't he played that one in the past and been the lone american playing it.

Moose Malloy said:

Agassi, Courier, Chang,Sampras, & McEnroe hardly ever played Monte Carlo. And they won 4 FOs & made 9 finals combined, its not about the clay, more about Americans not wanting to stay in Europe until July(after Wimbledon) That is a long time to be away from home.

Also, Monte Carlo has traditionally been skipped by many top 10 players over the years, I think the claycourt season is too long, many don't want to start it that early. The first North American MS is only played 3 weeks before the US Open, while Monte Carlo is played 7 weeks before the French. Does that make sense? Why do players need to play more on clay than hardcourt? Jim Courier didn't play Monte Carlo before rolling over the field at the French in '92. Many of the best claycourters over the years were burned out by the time Roland Garros came around & were upset.

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Hmm. My 1st emotion was pretty much outrage, very similar to that of the OP's, when I read the title to this thread; but your post puts things in better perspective. Most informative. Thank you.

MOUKA said:

How embarassing is it for U.S. tennis that there is not a single american player in the main draw of a Masters Series event??? There weren't any americans even in qualifying. And just because it is on clay does not grant the typical lazy excuse of: americans don't play well on clay. I am sick and tired of hearing that line.
I know Roddick is injured, but where are Blake, Fish, Ginepri?????

After the last of his era (Agassi), american tennis will be in an abyss for the forseeable future. Even if you don't count Federer's dominance, there are many young players waiting in the wings who will be at the top of tennis: Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Berdych, Baghadatis, as well as several young Argentine and Russian prospects.

The only thing keeping american tennis buoyant is the Bryan Brothers.

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I agree with everything you've said EXCEPT for the hideous last sentence. You got to be kidding!!!

Moose Malloy said:

its not about the clay, more about Americans not wanting to stay in Europe until July(after Wimbledon) That is a long time to be away from home.

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I've heard that, but I think it's only a decent excuse. Let's say you're James Blake. You live in Florida with good access to international airports (maybe even charter or private jet?), the flight is not all that painful. If he flies over there to play in Monte Carlo, I don't believe that means he has to stay until Wimbledon is over. I mean, he's likely to lose early in Monte Carlo. If he does lose early, he has THREE WHOLE WEEKS to fly back to Florida and rest before showing up in Rome. Even if he wins a few rounds, he has two weeks to rest in Florida before Rome.

Feel like staying to play Barcelona and Munich? Fine. Want to fly back to the states and rest before Rome? That's fine too, plenty of time. The excuse is a bit lame.

psp2 said:

I agree with everything you've said EXCEPT for the hideous last sentence. You got to be kidding!!!

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I was trying to be sarcastic.
I am pointing out that in the most uninteresting aspect of men's tennis (doubles), the americans are successful.

MOUKA said:

How embarassing is it for U.S. tennis that there is not a single american player in the main draw of a Masters Series event???

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How embarrassing? Not at all. Masters events are one step up from exhibition tennis. Masters events on clay may not be that significant.

This tournament matters if you speak Spanish. Otherwise, not so much.

Grimjack said:

Masters events are one step up from exhibition tennis. Masters events on clay may not be that significant.

This tournament matters if you speak Spanish. Otherwise, not so much.

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Your statement is one of the dumbest things I have read, and has absolutely no merit.

If Masters Series is so isignificant, why is this tournament worth 500 ranking points and pays out $461,000 to the winner???
If not for pride of winning ATP tournaments and being the best among their colleagues, at least the money should motivate some these americans.

And another thing, the excuse that americans don't want to be away from home for so long is ludicrous. These guys are professional athletes. All the South Americans and Eastern Europeans do it, why not americans? And if it's such a big deal, they can always take the 7 hour flight back to the US.

MOUKA said:

Your statement is one of the dumbest things I have read, and has absolutely no merit.

If Masters Series is so isignificant, why is this tournament worth 500 ranking points and pays out $461,000 to the winner???
If not for pride of winning ATP tournaments and being the best among their colleagues, at least the money should motivate some these americans.

And another thing, the excuse that americans don't want to be away from home for so long is ludicrous. These guys are professional athletes. All the South Americans and Eastern Europeans do it, why not americans? And if it's such a big deal, they can always take the 7 hour flight back to the US.

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The Americans skip MC just like the clay-courters will be skipping Canada. It's a give and take....the season is to long.

And where is Vince Spadea "Ain't Afraid of Ya"? He usually goes and wins a couple matches in Monaco.

edmondsm said:

The Americans skip MC just like the clay-courters will be skipping Canada. It's a give and take....the season is to long. .

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Let's see, here is a list of "clay-courters" who DID NOT skip Canada last year:
Mathieu
Gorsjean
Chela
F. Lopez
Almagro
A. Martin
Ferrero
F. Gonzales
Acasuso
Robredo
Moya
Gaudio
Ferrer
Nalbandian
Verdasco
Massu
Nadal

Boo hoo hoo Mouka. Why not pay attention to the players who ARE there?

MOUKA said:

Let's see, here is a list of "clay-courters" who DID NOT skip Canada last year:
Mathieu
Gorsjean
Chela
F. Lopez
Almagro
A. Martin
Ferrero
F. Gonzales
Acasuso
Robredo
Moya
Gaudio
Ferrer
Nalbandian
Verdasco
Massu
Nadal

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Wow, you can make a list, brilliant. By the way, guys like:
Nalbandian
Moya
Nadal
Grojean,
Ferrer
Ferrero
and especially F. Lopez are not "clay courters." They've all had good results outside of the clay court and were probably hoping to do the same in Canada. Americans never have any results on clay, hence why they skip Monte-Carlo.

Lookie I can make a list too.

Americans never have any results on clay, hence why they skip Monte-Carlo.

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so why did Agassi, Courier, & Chang skip Monte Carlo so often when they were among the favorites to win the French?

The first North American MS is only played 3 weeks before the US Open, while Monte Carlo is played 7 weeks before the French. Does the clay season need to be that long?

Combination of several factors: clay, nine weeks straight of clay; fourteen straight weeks in Europe; AND, after one week off after Wimbledon, seven straight weeks of hard courts in the American heat. Gotta' rest sometime...

MOUKA said:

How embarassing is it for U.S. tennis that there is not a single american player in the main draw of a Masters Series event??? There weren't any americans even in qualifying. And just because it is on clay does not grant the typical lazy excuse of: americans don't play well on clay. I am sick and tired of hearing that line.
I know Roddick is injured, but where are Blake, Fish, Ginepri?????

After the last of his era (Agassi), american tennis will be in an abyss for the forseeable future. Even if you don't count Federer's dominance, there are many young players waiting in the wings who will be at the top of tennis: Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Berdych, Baghadatis, as well as several young Argentine and Russian prospects.

The only thing keeping american tennis buoyant is the Bryan Brothers.

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Not many American's enter Monte Carlo in the first place so it's not a surprise.

BigboyDan said:

Combination of several factors: clay, nine weeks straight of clay; fourteen straight weeks in Europe; AND, after one week off after Wimbledon, seven straight weeks of hard courts in the American heat. Gotta' rest sometime...

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Again, I hear that argument, but I'm not too sure it holds water. There is plenty of time to rest (even fly back home) after you get beat in the early rounds. The least you can do is show up.

It's all a matter of scheduling. The March and April lineup of Indian Wells, Miami, Davis Cup and then the start of the claycourt season is demanding. I know there are days off built in between the two Masters Series and Davis Cup (maybe much longer if you lose), but it's still a lot of tennis.

The Americans always play in Houston to start the claycourt season. Whether they feel somewhat obligated because it's the only clay tourney in the U.S., I think they genuinely like that the event gives them a chance to test themselves against a weaker field on clay before going to Rome against the big guys.

The problem is rather obvious. They don't want to play in Houston, have to fly right to Monte Carlo, fly back home after Monte Carlo, and then fly back to Europe two weeks later for Rome. Those guys are certainly not going to play in Barcelona, Casablanca, Estoril or Munich. I agree that it wouldn't be that difficult to get the flights, but they probably feel that they do enough jetting around anyway. Moreover, clay is obviously not the surface of choice for Roddick, Blake or any other American, so I don't think they'd be overly excited about their chances in Monte Carlo. In the grand scheme of things, I guess they feel it makes more sense to conserve some energy for the grass and hard courts in the summer rather than make that extra trip to Europe and back.

Back in the '90s, the schedule was more favorable. Then, there were two weeks of clay tourneys prior to Monte Carlo instead of just one. Estoril kicked off the clay season, followed by Barcelona the following week. Monte Carlo was played during the third week of the season. Sampras (4 times), Agassi (4) and Chang (3) all played in Monte Carlo sparingly over the years. The top claycourters and most other foreign players have generally played every year.

Moose Malloy said:

so why did Agassi, Courier, & Chang skip Monte Carlo so often when they were among the favorites to win the French?

The first North American MS is only played 3 weeks before the US Open, while Monte Carlo is played 7 weeks before the French. Does the clay season need to be that long?

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There should maybe be a clay masters in the spring. Like make the Brasil Open a masters event.

Nadal,Ljubic;Federer and the rest of the top players but Roddick and Blake played IW,Miami and Davis Cup(can't remember if Federer played DC);Monte-Carlo,Rome and Hamburg one after the other in 2005
Nadal and Federer dropped out of Hamburg after the marathon in Rome in 2006
how many weeks away from home is that now?
rubbish excuses if you ask me

Nadal and Federer,Ljubic have played IW and Miami last year and played Monte-Carlo,Rome and Hamburg in 2005 right after the other

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Nadal skipped Hamburg in '05 & Federer skipped Rome in '05. Its not just about being away from home, but planned rests. Nadal pulled out of Davis Cup with injury while still playing in Miami, Federer doesn't play davis cup because its too demanding physically(or so he says)

Moose Malloy said:

Agassi, Courier, Chang,Sampras, & McEnroe hardly ever played Monte Carlo.

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I think it's more to do with their continued bad results. They ALL played there, they just couldn't win there. It's only been the last two years that I can remember where there are no Americans at all. Spadea, Dent, Blake, Fish, Roddick, Woodruff, Martin, Tarango, even Gambill, have all played there - it's just that (with the exception of Spadea who made the semifinals i think) they never usually even win a match, so it's a waste of their journey. Spadea did well so he kept returning, despite the 'ordeal' of an international plane flight. Courier, Sampras and Agassi played Monte Carlo at least 4 times each, The only person Sampras was ever able to beat there was Agassi. Chang was there 3 times and was unable to win a single match. They just get sick of going out there only to lose.

I think it's more to do with their continued bad results. They ALL played there, they just couldn't win there. It's only been the last two years that I can remember where there are no Americans at all. Spadea, Dent, Blake, Fish, Roddick, Woodruff, Martin, Tarango, even Gambill, have all played there - it's just that (with the exception of Spadea who made the semifinals i think) they never usually even win a match, so it's a waste of their journey. Spadea did well so he kept returning, despite the 'ordeal' of an international plane flight. Courier, Sampras and Agassi played Monte Carlo at least 4 times each, The only person Sampras was ever able to beat there was Agassi. Chang was there 3 times and was unable to win a single match. They just get sick of going out there only to lose.

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You really think Jim Courier skipped Monte Carlo in '92/93, because he couldn't win there? He won Rome & the French hardly losing a set in '92, he was the best claycourt player by far at the time. He was a huge favorite in '93 as well & took a pass on Monte Carlo. He just didn't want to burn out(or peak too early, really the French is the main goal, not Monte Carlo) like so many other claycourters have over the years. Even Nadal & Coria have skipped clay masters series when they were at their peak, the clay season is too long.

Courier, Sampras and Agassi played Monte Carlo at least 4 times each Chang was there 3 times and was unable to win a single match.

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Considering how long their careers were(15-20 years), playing an event 3-4 times isn't a lot. And except for Sampras they were among the best claycourters of the 90s, so its makes no sense that they skipped it so often, other than they were more concerned about the French & didn't want to play too much 7 weeks before it.

Probably more top 10 players have skipped Monte Carlo over the last 15 years than the other masters series, & its place on the calendar is a factor in that. If it was closer to the French, there would be a higher turnout.

Rhino said:

I think it's more to do with their continued bad results. They ALL played there, they just couldn't win there. It's only been the last two years that I can remember where there are no Americans at all. Spadea, Dent, Blake, Fish, Roddick, Woodruff, Martin, Tarango, even Gambill, have all played there - it's just that (with the exception of Spadea who made the semifinals i think) they never usually even win a match, so it's a waste of their journey. Spadea did well so he kept returning, despite the 'ordeal' of an international plane flight. Courier, Sampras and Agassi played Monte Carlo at least 4 times each, The only person Sampras was ever able to beat there was Agassi. Chang was there 3 times and was unable to win a single match. They just get sick of going out there only to lose.

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I didn't know any of that. It's amazing that Chang (a FO champ) couldn't win one match in 3 trips.

I didn't know any of that. It's amazing that Chang (a FO champ) couldn't win one match in 3 trips.

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That's bit misleading, 2 of his 3 trips there were well past his prime years('00,'01). In contrast he played Rome 10 times in his career, because it was closer to the French.

last time I checked, Roddick was ranked thrid in the world. Id say thats pretty good for American tennis

Moose Malloy said:

You really think Jim Courier skipped Monte Carlo in '92/93, because he couldn't win there?

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OK you can point to Courier if you want to, but really, when has America ever been this under-represented at Monte-Carlo? I cannot remember a time other than the past couple of years when there were no Americans. You can put this down to international travel issues or burnout if you want to, but if you're honest I think you have to acknowledge that the state of US tennis is playing a part here. I mean there were no Americans in the 4th round of Wimbledon; are you going to tell me they were busy saving themselves for Toronto?

Moose Malloy said:

really the French is the main goal, not Monte Carlo

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I think most people are aware of this, thats like saying Wimbledon is the main goal, not Queens!

theRadical said:

last time I checked, Roddick was ranked thrid in the world. Id say thats pretty good for American tennis

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Well compared to the glory days of Sampras and Agassi (who between them won 22 grand slams) it isn't particularly impressive. Especially considering how far behind he is from Federer and Nadal.

The Bryan brothers are world class though.

As usual with TW, there's a lot trolling and uninformed posts in here. Where to start?

Rhino said:

I think it's more to do with their continued bad results. They ALL played there, they just couldn't win there.

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They can't win in Paris, Rome, or Hamburg either, and yet they still play there.

It's only been the last two years that I can remember where there are no Americans at all.

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Blake, Roddick, and others haven't played MC in more than two years.

Spadea did well so he kept returning, despite the 'ordeal' of an international plane flight.

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Spadea doesn't play Davis Cup, unlike the other Americans, which is right before MC starts. They also prefer to play Houston which is close to home. There's nothing wrong with being loyal to Mac and Linda who have done so much for them when they were young upcoming players just starting out on tour, and there's nothing wrong with taking an extra week or so to chill out and heal any injuries at home before venturing over to Europe for several weeks at a stretch.

tangerine said:

As usual with TW, there's a lot trolling and uninformed posts in here. Where to start?

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Agreed. Hmmm, think I'll start with tangerine.

tangerine said:

They can't win in Paris, Rome, or Hamburg either, and yet they still play there.

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You're kidding, they still want to play Paris... a grand slam?! How unusual.
My original point: "It's only been the last two years that I can remember when there are no Americans at all at MC." Do you dispute that, or what?
They were always represented at Monte-Carlo until now. Some people like Dent only played Monte-Carlo, but never played Rome and Hamburg.

tangerine said:

Blake, Roddick, and others haven't played MC in more than two years.

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Well OK we know Blake was out in '05 anyway, but he's making excuses in the interview. Things used to be more difficult. In 2003 (when US tennis was a bit hotter) Houston was after Monte-Carlo but before Rome. Roddick and Blake played Monte-Carlo (in fact there were 5 Americans in the main draw) and then flew back to play Houston, and then back to Europe to play Rome! In '04 Blake played Houston and then played Munich before Rome!
The point about Davis Cup is legitimate (although it's not like it's never been dealt with before), but a Davis Cup team only has two singles players, and I think it does show up the poor state of US tennis when there is nobody else left after that these days. Where are the Dents, Fishs, Spadeas, etc, these days? Answer: MC is a 64 player draw and there are only 4 Americans in the top 64 these days.