sad state of USA women

[jc4.0]

Women's tennis in general has gotten a lot less interesting to watch. The Williams sisters have been the only spark in a lackluster decade, despite the barrage of model-pretty russian blondes and two Belgian standouts. Now that Serena and Venus are clearly headed for pasture - who's left? Watching Fed Cup today, it became crystal clear that there are no American successors, at least in singles. Even our doubles stars, Raymond and King, aren't getting any younger.

My question - does anyone know of a single USA female player who can make top ten, after the Williams retire?

 

[t135]

I'll disagree that womens tennis is currently boring to watch. It's just as interesting as mens tennis. Same lack of diversity in styles as the mens game. Couple of dominant players this year, same as men.

I do agree on the depth of American womens tennis. Coco Vandeweghe, Melanie Oudin, and Sloane Stephens are the most likely to succeed but only time will tell. Maybe some other US female will rise out of obscurity; there are others with potential.

I don't think there is any need to panic, just have to be patient. I prefer not to have to look at the same player dominating every tournament so I have no problem with the current state of affairs. I like to see new faces. Some new American faces would be nice though.

 

[courtking]

Yeah.. I was watching and rooting for the USA.. At least to get 1 point in the single.. Coco was impressed with her cool, calm and some powerful strokes. Schivone is just better.. I think Coco has a good potential ahead of her.. MatekSands.. Gosh.. this girl is unique.. the way she dressed, the way she plays.... Watching her play is really a sad day for USA tennis.. We have no other choice..

 

[elroyjet]

madison keys.

 

[Underhand]

It's just as interesting as mens tennis. Same lack of diversity in styles as the mens game.

MWUAHAHAHA You're comedy gold.

 

[Ronaldo]

Tough for the American women to compete with the Italian amazons and their youth, strength, size, big babe tennis.

 

[Joe Pike]

Women's tennis in general has gotten a lot less interesting to watch. The Williams sisters have been the only spark in a lackluster decade, despite the barrage of model-pretty russian blondes ...

Who are they, all those alleged "model-pretty russian blondes"?

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I think women's tennis will cycle back up again one day. Remember in the early 2000s before Fed-Nadal rivalry emerged, the men's game was pretty flat and the women would draw as much or more interest than the men.

The younger Williams sisters, Henin in her prime with as good a 1HB as there ever was, Clijsters with her splits....followed by a 17 year old amazing rags to riches story wrapped in a beautiful package of Sharapova winning Wimbledon. From 1998-2005 the women's game had the better story lines. The ratings for the 2001 Williams sisters final were huge.

 

[dlk]

I personally enjoy both (men & women; men a little more because it is of a higher level) & really my interest is not affected by any one or more individuals. I just enjoy watching the pros. Obviously the stakes are lower in first round of tourney that may lower the intensity, but I still enjoy tennis for the fact of tennis.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Who are they, all those alleged "model-pretty russian blondes"?

Quoted for truth, Joe!!

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

I think women's tennis will cycle back up again one day. Remember in the early 2000s before Fed-Nadal rivalry emerged, the men's game was pretty flat and the women would draw as much or more interest than the men.

The younger Williams sisters, Henin in her prime with as good a 1HB as there ever was, Clijsters with her splits....followed by a 17 year old amazing rags to riches story wrapped in a beautiful package of Sharapova winning Wimbledon. From 1998-2005 the women's game had the better story lines. The ratings for the 2001 Williams sisters final were huge.

You say "one day," but the "talent" of younger, active players (led by Oudin) is about 1000 rungs below that of the Williams sisters, and where is that going to go at the majors--even against tactically challenged Russian headcases? Of course, we cannot predict the future with 100% accuracy, but I will say this: if the post Oudin generation does not incorporate an agressive mix of power and the all-court game (with real net intelligence), and the PTB fails to seriously attract better athletes to the sport (with the ability to effectively use the aforementioned skills), it may be several generations before we see an American female with even 5% of the talent/success of either Williams sister.

 

[TMF]

Not likely there will be another big name player from the USA, but that will not deter fans from watching tennis. Whether the sisters retire or not, not much will change. Serena didn't play tennis since June, and the WTA didn't miss her.

 

[Buckethead]

I disagree.
Coco has potential to win majors. She is far the most talented of them all, but she needs to keep working hard, I just heard Robert Lansdorp will be also coaching her. Her problems that I noticed is pretty much movement and foot work, which is the reason why she makes silly mistakes and can't return well. Another thing is that once she starts to play against top 20, top 30, they will make her better.She is definitely a shot maker and she can bring the heat.
Melanie can't do much, she is very limited.
Beatrice is good player and so is Gullickson.
Wait a little and you'll see the US women tennis.

 

[MattPrevidi]

New Kids in Town

Kyle McPhillips, Brooke Austin, Krista Hardebeck, Lauren Davis......Anyone who has seen these girls know they are the real deal. In some ways, they have even more potential than the williams sisters because of their enormously loveable personalities.....

 

[courtking]

Kyle McPhillips, Brooke Austin, Krista Hardebeck, Lauren Davis......Anyone who has seen these girls know they are the real deal. In some ways, they have even more potential than the williams sisters because of their enormously loveable personalities.....

since when the requirement loveable personalities becomes prerequisite to be a great player?? There are many loveable kids that I can see in my club but they get nowhere.. The way USTA program runs right now, i doubt that there will be any great player come out from it.. Most of them will come from Europe eventually from Asia..

I watched this morning at Mile Square park Junior Sectional tourney, over half of those ranking kids and players are Asian but they will get nowhere 5 years from now..

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

since when the requirement loveable personalities becomes prerequisite to be a great player?? There are many loveable kids that I can see in my club but they get nowhere..

True. The so-called "loveable" act aged to dust during Capriati's early years, and it did not help anyone become great, or add some sort of potential as a player. If such a notion were true, then John McEnroe, Martina, Lendl, Connors, Sampras and a host of other not-always-so-loveable, or cold players would not have reached legend status.

The way USTA program runs right now, i doubt that there will be any great player come out from it..

Agreed. The USTA has a mission which seeks to push players such as Oudin, and that did not work out too well.

 

[sureshs]

Agreed. The USTA has a mission which seeks to push players such as Oudin, and that did not work out too well.

She defeated Schiavone yesterday.

If someone does not want to be helped by the USTA, they can shine and defeat everyone else. Nothing preventing them.

 

[Figjam]

what about Deja Kitchiner?

 

[Topaz]

Oudin's performance was far from sad.

The squad made finals two years in a row sans Williams. Thats pretty happy in my book.

 

[El Diablo]

I read somewhere that American junior girls won the 14-and-under version of the Fed Cup and were fourth in the 18-and-under. That plus the pros reaching the Fed Cup finals is not global hegemony but it's hardly a "sad state."

 

[CCNM]

It's not just the U.S. I haven't been impressed with any female players. Perhaps they should rename it the Headcase's Tennis Association! :lol:

 

[ofcr17601]

Hey not to worry, all you have do is a little research. remember these names, Brook Austin, Maria Shiskina, Mayo Hibi, Gabrielle Andrews,Christina Makarova and you will know for sure American womens tennis has a bright future. I would venture to say at least one of these girls will have an impact on the WTA.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

She defeated Schiavone yesterday.

That has no bearing on her overall underwhelming performance this year for a player who--in the wake of the '09 USO--was cheered on as the next great thing in tennis, and again, that did not work out.

 

[Cindysphinx]

I was surprised that Coco's volleys were so poor.

Whatever happened to Alexa Glatch? I liked her game for a while there.

 

[sureshs]

I was surprised that Coco's volleys were so poor.

Whatever happened to Alexa Glatch? I liked her game for a while there.

She never really fulfilled her promise after her scooter accident

 

[Wozupniacki]

Keep your eyes out for talented but poor girls around the world, bring them to USA and make them American citizens (like Navratilova and Seles)! Isn't that the American way? "Give me your tired, your poor" and all that.

 

[sureshs]

Keep your eyes out for talented but poor girls around the world, bring them to USA and make them American citizens (like Navratilova and Seles)! Isn't that the American way? "Give me your tired, your poor" and all that.

If they are too tired, they may not succeed.

But seriously, Sharapova did not become a US citizen. On the other hand, Liezel Huber did, but she wasn't really poor and tired.

 

[Underhand]

It's not just the U.S. I haven't been impressed with any female players. Perhaps they should rename it the Headcase's Tennis Association! :lol:

It's already have a new official name: Women's Drama Association, WDA.