America's only hope

[FalconX]

I've been watching Roddick play for the past 4 years and it just doesn't look to me that he's got the natural ability to improve some of the aspects of his game that continue to hurt him. He's been trying to improve his net game for what?2 years now and he's still aweful at it. If that guy hadn't yelled out "OUT" during that match with Nalbandian 2 years ago at the open Roddick would have lost that tiebreak and wouldn't even have a Slam. He brought a lot of power to the game when he first burst into the scenes but players have figured him out now. Joachim outpowered him and now Hewitt having put on some muscle easily took him out twice. Not to mention Agassi a 34 yo man who still managed to hit with him from the baseline shot by shot in Cinci last year. And I suspect it's only going to get worse for him. Up and coming players like Nadal are becoming even more physical.

The only player that I see among American players with potential is Taylor Dent. I love the way he players. He's a natural. What he doesn't have is exactly what Roddick has too much of. Power. And I mean consistent power cuz he obviously can serve in huge numbers. I mean more consistent power on his ground strokes and better physical conditions.If he gets in better shape and improves his mental game he's right up there with Hewitt, Safin or even Federer. He's disappointed me in past but I still see him as someone with a tremendous game who can win 4-5 Slams, at the US open and Wimbledon. What do you think?

 

[big ted]

i think his new coach can teach him how to volley i dont think brad gilbert was a good technical coach so he wasnt going to learn how to volley from him. but already this new coach has added a slice backhand to roddicks game that i havnet seen before and its helping.

more then his volleys is his return of serve roddick is not even in the top 10 for any return of serve winning percentages/statistics

 

[tricky nicky]

only taylor dent can save american tennis?

oh now come on falcon.

what about jeff morrison, donald young,

jeff morrisons an okay player, just needs a little luck to give him the confidence boost.

so he can take off

 

[FalconX]

I'm not sure if that's a joke or a serious post, but I'm gonna treat it as if you really meant what you said.

What I'm talking about is near future like next 3-4 years. Donald young is really young for that and as for Morrison I don't really know how to respond to that. What sticks out about Dent's game for me is his raw talent, his ability to improvise shots even off baseline. I've seen him make sliced forehand winners on the run. I don't know many American players, except agassi maybe who could do that. He's got the touch.

 

[Noelle]

Now, if only Dent would lay off the donuts....

 

[Young Pete]

What about Jan-Micheal Gambill?

 

[pound cat]

Serena Williams is America's only hope for tennis. And if she were to retire to pursue other interests, there would be no one. IMO she is the only one on the men's or women's side who has the talent, drive, and huge family support to make a statement on the the court.

 

[andfor]

For everyone concerned about the future of US pro tennis prospects, Doanld Young (USA) is in the AO junior finals. Watch him play, he's like a new and improved version of Marcello Rios. Let's hope that goes for his mental game as well as the pysical part. Even though he may not win the AO juniors he's only 15 or 16 years old. There's a bunch of other very good US talent on the way up.

As for Roddick, I don't see why others have to right him off so fast. It was only a year to 18 months ago the Hewitt looked awful. I would like to see how this board treated him at that time. I bet it was no different than the Roddick bashing we see today.

 

[AAAA]

Serena Williams is America's only hope for tennis. And if she were to retire to pursue other interests, there would be no one. IMO she is the only one on the men's or women's side who has the talent, drive, and huge family support to make a statement on the the court.

America already has a player that's come out on top like Pound Cat said.