If Querrey Is America's Best Right Now........

[asifallasleep]

If Querrey Is America's Best Right Now........

We are in serious trouble.


The 3rd and 4th set against The Joker today was embarrassing and a total choke job. I had to turn it off. Horrible horrible tennis.

 

[90's Clay]

American's mens tennis has been dead since 2002-2003.

Nothing new

 

[acura9927]

Djoker is probably in the top 5 for fitness in the world for sports. I dont think any American tennis player can complete for 5 sets like that.

 

[Tcbtennis]

If Querrey Is America's Best Right Now........

We are in serious trouble.


The 3rd and 4th set against The Joker today was embarrassing and a total choke job. I had to turn it off. Horrible horrible tennis.

And there are no strong up and coming American men players on the horizon. The future seems brighter on the women's side but it looks dismal for the men. Harrison, Young, Sock, Johnson? Who else is there? Beside Querrey who is 25 and Harrison who is 20, the youngest American men in the Top 100 are Isner and Brian Baker who are 27. Fish is 31. Russel is 34. Blake is 33.

Not looking good for the U.S.

 

[rainingaces]

And there are no strong up and coming American men players on the horizon. The future seems brighter on the women's side but it looks dismal for the men. Harrison, Young, Sock, Johnson? Who else is there? Beside Querrey who is 25 and Harrison who is 20, the youngest American men in the Top 100 are Isner and Brian Baker who are 27. Fish is 31. Russel is 34. Blake is 33.

Not looking good for the U.S.

Sock, c Harrison and kudsla are good prospects. Sock could be very good if he works with the right team.

 

[Rabbit]

Djokovic has to turn his ankle severely to give us any chance, and we still don't have a chance.

I really like Querry, but if he's the American #1, we're in deep do.

I also noticed the arena wasn't sold out and to make matters worse, the Serbs appeared to have as much representation as the USA did. And, the Serbs were apologetic for kicking or asses at home. Yesterday, Zimonjić appeared to not want to celebrate his doubles win, and then was very classy going out and thanking the entire crowd.

I am 54, and I really don't think I'll see an American Davis Cup win or another American male win the US Open in my lifetime and I figure I have another twenty years. We are following Australia's plight in tennis, one or two steps behind.

The USTA better figure out this hard court development just isn't cutting it and start building clay courts for our players to play on. Further, to emphasize that point, they ought to change the Open back to green clay.

 

[mightyrick]

USA players are getting too tall. It has gotten ridiculous. Nothing but a bunch of human trees who can serve 135mph+ but have no other weapons to speak of. Jack Sock is the best up-and-comer I've seen so far. But he needs some really good coaching.

They need to work on developing players who are 6 foot 2 inches and under. It takes more than a serve. Roddick was 6 foot 2 and had a huge serve. He also had a blistering forehand. His fitness was actually better than any of the USA players out there today.

I'm getting so tired of these second-rate basketball players being put forth as the United States' tennis future.

 

[tennisplayer1993]

USA players are getting too tall. It has gotten ridiculous. Nothing but a bunch of human trees who can serve 135mph+ but have no other weapons to speak of. Jack Sock is the best up-and-comer I've seen so far. But he needs some really good coaching.

They need to work on developing players who are 6 foot 2 inches and under. It takes more than a serve. Roddick was 6 foot 2 and had a huge serve. He also had a blistering forehand. His fitness was actually better than any of the USA players out there today.

I'm getting so tired of these second-rate basketball players being put forth as the United States' tennis future.

yeah Roddick's size is ideal for a tennis player. I agree the players are too tall they just serve and have no other weapons I totally agree with saying Jack Sock is probably my favorite up and comer too. Roddick grew I believe an inch on tour though. He was probably 6'1'' maybe when I met him in 2001 at the US Open that year. He matured physically on tour and had great fitness I would say. He was probably in his best physical peak/shape in 2004 IMO.

 

[Tammo]

Sock, c Harrison and kudsla are good prospects. Sock could be very good if he works with the right team.

I would add S Johnson to the team and that could be dangerous. C harrison will be top 10 in 3 years.

 

[papertank]

Steve Johnson and Jack Sock have the most potential in my opinion. They need good coaching in order to not turn into more Querrey/Isners though.

 

[Tammo]

I agree with you. Johnson is really good and have a great potential. I recently posted a very interesting interview with him. Here is the link http://wp.me/p2iyrR-hf

Thanks, nice interview. I wonder how similar/different his career will be compared to Isner's.

 

[Tcbtennis]

I have had limited viewing of Sock and Johnson and have never seen C. Harrison. But what I did see of Sock and Johnson is that they are following the recent American male tennis player paradigm of big serve, big forehand, poor backhand, poor movement, limited athleticism. As one can see by looking at the top of the ATP ranking list, great footwork and movement are key. Even the extra tall guys like Berdych and Del Potro have great footwork for their size. Also a backhand that will not break down under pressure is very important.

Working on clay may help develop better American players, but you also need American players who have naturally fast feet and the ability to develop explosive power from their legs. I think that because so many European and South American players spend time playing soccer as children they develop these skills that American players just don't.

 

[jaggy]

The cupboard is sure bare

 

[Relinquis]

it's not just the focus on tall guys... it's how these guys train...

i'm watching Milos right now... he's moving so fast, from side to side, up the court to the net and back to the baseline, knows how to construct points, can change direction, his ankles and knees aren't taped and braced up... guy can play tennis. more than just a serve.

he trains a lot on red clay in spain.

i'm surprised that the US hasn't decided to develop more all courters. guys that can hand at the baseline on clay, but who can also come in to close out points.

maybe US players need more practice on natural surfaces... clay and grass.

All of the Europeans and South Americans play football (soccer).

 

[Cfidave]

I don't know about Sock, but Harrison is not going anywhere special. He is around 90 in the world and having trouble just getting out of the first round at 250 tournaments

 

[Nostradamus]

What Happened today in davis cup ? Novak was moving at 70 % of his usual movement due to twisted ankle and still Got Blown out 6-1 6-0 in last 2 sets...

 

[kishnabe]

American's mens tennis has been dead since 2002-2003.

Nothing new

2002 and 2003 US Open champions are Americans.

 

[Relinquis]

i think a lot of the americans dont' spend enough time competing overseas... or at least it seems that way. don't see them in too many 250s, or 500s around the world.

 

[Cfidave]

What Happened today in davis cup ? Novak was moving at 70 % of his usual movement due to twisted ankle and still Got Blown out 6-1 6-0 in last 2 sets...

Sam was not serving well in the last two sets due to a sore shoulder. Novak played better when the anti-inflamitorys started to work. He then moved Sam around a lot more exposing Sam's lack of mobility and somewhat weaker backhand. After the third set loss, it was apparent ( at least to me ) that Sam was in a negative state of mind, making matters worse. Had Novak not injured his ankle, I do believe he would have beat Sam in straight sets.

I would be very suprised if Novak plays Monte Carlo. After viewing the ankle turn, it looked nasty, very similar to what I did which tore ligaments.

 

[Tshooter]

I didn't know until know that C. Harrison's agent reads this board. Welcome to the board !

 

[tennisconsultcom]

I just published an interesting interview about the Davis Cup's results and a situation with American tennis. Here are some excerpts:
"...Both Querrey and Isner have probably come close to their potential. ... There are no Americans as talented as Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic, or Pete Sampras or Andre Agassi, or for that matter, Gael Monfils or Alexandr Dolgopolov... American best athletes gravitate toward the NFL, NBA or MLB."

 

[stringertom]

I like Kudla out of all the young prospects...he has wins vs Ivo and Dimitrov on ATP grass (Newport), just finaled on HC at the high-end Dallas Challenger, plays well on clay and fits the profile mentioned above as necessary for success (good movement and "comfortable" size). He turns 21 this summer and has tons of upside. That being said, he's at least a couple of years away from the top 30. Whether he can climb above that will depend on developing a few bigger weapons (serve is key).

 

[Fedex]

Djokovic has to turn his ankle severely to give us any chance, and we still don't have a chance.

I really like Querry, but if he's the American #1, we're in deep do.

Querrey was also injured and couldn't serve properly.

 

[fps]

Working on clay may help develop better American players, but you also need American players who have naturally fast feet and the ability to develop explosive power from their legs. I think that because so many European and South American players spend time playing soccer as children they develop these skills that American players just don't.

Football certainly develops fast feet, interesting thought.

 

[Flash O'Groove]

I just published an interesting interview about the Davis Cup's results and a situation with American tennis. Here are some excerpts:
"...Both Querrey and Isner have probably come close to their potential. ... There are no Americans as talented as Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic, or Pete Sampras or Andre Agassi, or for that matter, Gael Monfils or Alexandr Dolgopolov...American best athletes gravitate toward the NFL, NBA or MLB."

I really can't understand this argument.

First, the USA leads the medals charts of every Olympics games. They are able to develop a lot of great athletes in a lot of different disciplines. How is it that they the swimmers don't gravitate toward the NFL, NBA or MLB? And the gymnast? And athletes? How is it that the USA can develop the best sportsmen and women in so much different sports, which are all very low profile in comparison with Basketball, Hockey and even Tennis?

Second, why would the europeans and south-americans best athletes gravitate toward tennis instead of their own national higher profile sports? Why would it be different for the Europeans than for the Americans? How high profile do you think tennis is in Switzerland, Serbia, Spain? Especially before Federer, Nadal and Djokovic?

America has the biggest population, the biggest financial means, probably the best infrastructure, probably one of the best "know how" in developing sport people. For some reasons, it doesn't work for tennis. And these reasons are more likely a problem inside the american tennis than the problem of the tennis relative to other more desirable sports.

America differ from European countries on its teaching policy of tennismens. It doesn't differ from them on the importance of tennis relative to others sports.

 

[tacou]

I like Isner and Querrey but they are a solid #3 and #4. Sadly they are 1 and 2 for us.

I miss Andy

 

[Relinquis]

Where is the American David Ferrer, or Gilles Simon? Where is the American Almagro or Nishikori? Don't tell me they are in the NFL or NBA ...

 

[Tcbtennis]

Where is the American David Ferrer, or Gilles Simon? Where is the American Almagro or Nishikori? Don't tell me they are in the NFL or NBA ...

In Europe and South America the popularity of tennis is much higher there than it is here so kids are exposed to it. Also, as my friend from Germany has told me, the cost to belonging to a club where tennis is played is much much lower there than it is here so kids are exposed to it. Add to that the fact that tennis is an individual sport where most of the financial burden for training, equipment and travel is on the parents. I wholeheartedly believe that in the U.S. our Federers, Nadals, Djokovics, etc are on the football, baseball and soccer fields. Another thing is that community youth sports is where a lot of kids are first exposed to organized sports. These are the sports where the community can serve the most kids. That would be team sports where you can have 20 or more kids on one team and there can be multiple teams. Tennis is limited by having courts available. My kids were playing soccer and we didn't give tennis a second thought. We just happened upon a tennis academy by accident in our local park. I signed them up for a few lessons and my son absolutely fell in love with the sport. He only plays tennis now but financially it is difficult. As he as gotten better and better, he needs better coaches, better equipment. That means more money. He is a very athletic kid and thankfully I can afford more than most but not as much as a few. As we have gotten deeper into competitive tennis, I have come to find out that the families of some of his best friends in the tennis are exceedingly wealthy. They can afford to fly all over the U.S. for tournaments and afford private coaches. We can't do that.

There is so much more financial support for team sports. There are full college scholarships for football and basketball. There are only partial scholarships for tennis. And while football and basketball have 20-40+ full scholarships that cover everything (tuition, room/board, books, fees). A boys tennis team of 8-10 players have 4 (I think. It may be 6) scholarships that the tennis coach will divvy up. I've thought about this issue a lot and as tennis's popularity worldwide increases and more athletic kids from overseas get involved with the sport, the U.S. will fall further and further behind. Until you get that combination of wealthy, hardworking and athletic, or an hardworking athletic kid identified early by some academy who will financially support him, the immediate future of American male tennis is bleak.

 

[tennisconsultcom]

I really can't understand this argument.

First, the USA leads the medals charts of every Olympics games. They are able to develop a lot of great athletes in a lot of different disciplines. How is it that they the swimmers don't gravitate toward the NFL, NBA or MLB? And the gymnast? And athletes? How is it that the USA can develop the best sportsmen and women in so much different sports, which are all very low profile in comparison with Basketball, Hockey and even Tennis?

Second, why would the europeans and south-americans best athletes gravitate toward tennis instead of their own national higher profile sports? Why would it be different for the Europeans than for the Americans? How high profile do you think tennis is in Switzerland, Serbia, Spain? Especially before Federer, Nadal and Djokovic?

America has the biggest population, the biggest financial means, probably the best infrastructure, probably one of the best "know how" in developing sport people. For some reasons, it doesn't work for tennis. And these reasons are more likely a problem inside the american tennis than the problem of the tennis relative to other more desirable sports.

America differ from European countries on its teaching policy of tennismens. It doesn't differ from them on the importance of tennis relative to others sports.

I agree with you to some extent. My point is no one in America is really interested in developing of top level players. There is a no system of developing high level players. No selection process. Prices are very high. There are a few really good coaches who have developed top players and most of them are not young, etc.
In Europe many tennis clubs and national tennis federations are sponsors of talented young kids.

 

[fps]

There is so much more financial support for team sports. There are full college scholarships for football and basketball. There are only partial scholarships for tennis. And while football and basketball have 20-40+ full scholarships that cover everything (tuition, room/board, books, fees). A boys tennis team of 8-10 players have 4 (I think. It may be 6) scholarships that the tennis coach will divvy up. I've thought about this issue a lot and as tennis's popularity worldwide increases and more athletic kids from overseas get involved with the sport, the U.S. will fall further and further behind. Until you get that combination of wealthy, hardworking and athletic, or an hardworking athletic kid identified early by some academy who will financially support him, the immediate future of American male tennis is bleak.

Look at Djokovic, Ivanovic, look at the Williams sisters. It's not all about money it's about access to tuition and desire.

 

[Tcbtennis]

Look at Djokovic, Ivanovic, look at the Williams sisters. It's not all about money it's about access to tuition and desire.

No it's not all about money. You have to love the game in order to dedicate hours upon hours of your young life to it. But money is a huge part of it. I don't know Ivanovic's story but the Williams sisters story is quite well known. If it weren't for high level tennis coaches identifying their talent at an early age and funding them would we ever have heard of them. Richard Williams didn't have the finances or the tennis knowledge to get them to the highest levels. But he was able to get the coaching for free when it was evident how phenomenal they were. Even Andre Agassi would have left the Bollitieri academy because his father couldn't afford to keep him there until Nick Bollitieri called Andre's dad and offered him free tuition because he saw a great talent. I remember reading an article about Djokovic in which it states that Djokovic's dad borrowed money from loan sharks in order to finance Nole's early tennis training. How many athletic American boys are out there who are choosing which sport to concentrate on and throw tennis away. When my kids played soccer it was a onetime registration fee (maybe $25), money for uniform and soccer shoes and the annual picture. That's it. For tennis it is the coaching, private lessons, group lessons, tennis racquets, strings and frequent restringing, tennis outfits, tennis shoes that wear out quickly if you train on hard court, and between $35-$100 for tournaments. It quickly adds up. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don't have access to all the things that I named it doesn't matter. Baseball, football and basketball are so much easier to be involved with. I would assume that golf would be similar to tennis in regards to finances.

 

[1477aces]

Also, people from other sports earn way more. Ex. Kobe Bryant: Top 5 player now at best, maybe top 10 in the US: 27 million a year. that's more money than Roddick earned in his whole career, and he was #1 american player for like a decade.

 

[spinovic]

I don't know about Sock, but Harrison is not going anywhere special. He is around 90 in the world and having trouble just getting out of the first round at 250 tournaments

I don't see anything big from Harrison either. He competes and plays hard, but doesn't look like a future slam contender to me.

I haven't watched Sock yet, so I can't comment on him.

Of the ones I have watched, Steve Johnson seems to have some potential but he has a lot of work to do. He has a huge forehand, but needs to significantly upgrade his backhand. Not sure if he can ever get in the mix at the very top though.

 

[Tcbtennis]

I don't see anything big from Harrison either. He competes and plays hard, but doesn't look like a future slam contender to me.

I haven't watched Sock yet, so I can't comment on him.

Of the ones I have watched, Steve Johnson seems to have some potential but he has a lot of work to do. He has a huge forehand, but needs to significantly upgrade his backhand. Not sure if he can ever get in the mix at the very top though.

This is a very common need of recent American male players. Querrey, Isner, Sock, and Johnson have forehands that are >>> their backhands. I think that this is attributable to poor coaching when they were younger. Emphasize the forehand to the detriment of other strokes. Before my kids left their current coaching situation, their American coach was all about the forehand even though my daughter's backhand was weak and would break down during competitive matches. When we specifically wanted to work on her backhand during practice he would give it 5 maybe 10 minutes and that was it. He would say that she is going to hit mostly forehands anyway so let's concentrate on that. I can't vouch for all coaches but is that type of thinking endemic in the American coach?

 

[jrs]

Is this a problem with US players or the fact that a lot great athletes from rest of the world have caught up to the US dominance and have passed them.

I would suggest USTA maybe look at the other training centers and make some adjustments to improve the chances for the new generation.

Sam Querry - I always thought he had the talent - his shots are very smooth - but mentally, I never thought he cared enough to be the top 10. I would say he is more talented than Isner - but I think Isner was mentally a stronger player - wanted it more.