When is a Russian an American?

[TimothyO]

NOTE: Posting here in case others don't know about Serena...want to avoid spoilers.

Much has been made of the fact that all Americans have been eliminated from the AO 2012 singles race. But a number of remaining players actually live and train in the US.

A perfect example is Maria Sharapova. She moved to the US at age seven and has lived and trained here ever since. IMG, an American company, covered her initial training expenses in the US. She speaks perfect American-accented English. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2R6sCRV_B8 ) She retains her Russian citizenship but she is a naturalized American citizen.

Culturally Sharapova is truly an American and her training is essentially American except for a brief period in Russia age 4-6.

As far as I can tell there's at least one "American" still in the running: Sharapova. And there may be more that others can point out.

So the question is this: when is a Russian really an American?

 

[Raistlin]

NOTE: Posting here in case others don't know about Serena...want to avoid spoilers.

Much has been made of the fact that all Americans have been eliminated from the AO 2012 singles race. But a number of remaining players actually live and train in the US.

A perfect example is Maria Sharapova. She moved to the US at age seven and has lived and trained here ever since. IMG, an American company, covered her initial training expenses in the US. She speaks perfect American-accented English. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2R6sCRV_B8 ) She retains her Russian citizenship but she is a naturalized American citizen.

Culturally Sharapova is truly an American and her training is essentially American except for a brief period in Russia age 4-6.

As far as I can tell there's at least one "American" still in the running: Sharapova. And there may be more that others can point out.

So the question is this: when is a Russian really an American?

Does Sharapova have dual citizenship? I'm assuming she does however she chooses to represent Russia (for whatever reasons) and that is how the WTA categorizes her.

 

[bluetrain4]

You're not going to get definitive answer. People's opinions vary. If Sharapova was playing under the American flag (if there was a U.S.A. next to her name on all the TV graphics) and she didn't have dual citizenship, I'd have no problem saying an "American" was left in the draw. Had no problems with Martina or Seles as Americans and they moved to the U.S. later than Sharapova, and became citizens later, yet played for the USA.

I find sort of odd and scary when people insist that unless someone is born in a particular country, they really aren't true representatives of that country. Like Raonic. He moved to Canada when he was only three and was raised entirely in Canada, though originally born in what is now Montenegro. Yet, I've seen on these boards people doubting his Canadian-ness and whether Canada really deserves credit for this up-and-coming player.

I think in the Sharapova case, it's not that complex. She's not American in regards to tennis because she has dual citizenship and choses to play for Russia. This is legal under WTA and ITF rules, and that's it. That you could argue that she's more culturally American than Russian is sort of besides the point, IMO.

The little flags next to a player's name are an indication out what country they are representing, not an indication of what degree the player is culturally in-synch with that country (obviously, a subjective measure).

 

[Fifth Set]

when is a Russian really an American?

When he/she is neither a Russian nor a Kazakh!

http://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/1675

 

[ZeroSkid]

NOTE: Posting here in case others don't know about Serena...want to avoid spoilers.

Much has been made of the fact that all Americans have been eliminated from the AO 2012 singles race. But a number of remaining players actually live and train in the US.

A perfect example is Maria Sharapova. She moved to the US at age seven and has lived and trained here ever since. IMG, an American company, covered her initial training expenses in the US. She speaks perfect American-accented English. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2R6sCRV_B8 ) She retains her Russian citizenship but she is a naturalized American citizen.

Culturally Sharapova is truly an American and her training is essentially American except for a brief period in Russia age 4-6.

As far as I can tell there's at least one "American" still in the running: Sharapova. And there may be more that others can point out.

So the question is this: when is a Russian really an American?

I think the real questions is what exactly is american, I mean in the end it is a country made up of immigrants

 

[Fee]

I don't think Sharapova is a naturalized citizen. Probably just a Russian citizen with a permanent visa or whatever.

 

[tennis-player]

I see your point. But it's her choice, and if she has two citizenships, that's what she chooses. It's mostly about sentiments, probably her parents sentiments for their homeland.

 

[TimothyO]

I don't think Sharapova is a naturalized citizen. Probably just a Russian citizen with a permanent visa or whatever.

She is definitely a naturalized US citizen and holds dual citizenship with Russia.

 

[TimothyO]

I see your point. But it's her choice, and if she has two citizenships, that's what she chooses. It's mostly about sentiments, probably her parents sentiments for their homeland.

Absolutely!

My question is driven by comments in the sports press that America isn't producing world class tennis players, especially in light of the AO results.

Sharapova was born in Russia but she most certainly is a product of the US tennis community/industry/whatever you call it.

Does anyone know which other leading players nominally play for other countries but grew up under the US system and still live/train here?

 

[bluetrain4]

Absolutely!

My question is driven by comments in the sports press that America isn't producing world class tennis players, especially in light of the AO results.

Sharapova was born in Russia but she most certainly is a product of the US tennis community/industry/whatever you call it.

Does anyone know which other leading players nominally play for other countries but grew up under the US system and still live/train here?

But, the issue driven by the sports press and the "panic" by the American press really is implying that the U.S. is not producing top players who represent the U.S. Foreign players, including many top players, have been training in the U.S. (Bolliteri's, etc.) forever. (Happens in other countries too, such as Safin and Kuznetsova training in Spain). So, the issue really isn't whether an American-based academy/coach can help develop a world class player (they can), the issue is having the academy/coach develp a world class player who is going to represent the U.S.A.

IMO, when you see "America isn't producing any champions" or something like that in an article, it's just shorthand for "America isn't producing any American champions."

 

[Mainad]

I remember an interview with her just before the USO last year when a hurricane threatened to delay the start. When asked if she was concerned about it, she replied, "No, I'm a Florida girl. I'm used to this kind of thing!"

I also recall a rather sarcastic remark from Anastasia Myskina some years ago when she said that she and the other Russian players were amazed at how well Sharapova spoke Russian!

With Alex Bogomolov, I guess the question is in reverse: When is an American a Russian?

Truth is both are Russian-born of Russian parentage but grew up in the USA.
Yet Sharapova has always identified herself as Russian while Bogomolov has switched sides so he can have a chance of playing Davis Cup.

 

[saguar0]

She is definitely a naturalized US citizen and holds dual citizenship with Russia.

You do know that neither Russia nor USA "officially allow" dual citizenships?
A lot of russian tennis players train/live outside of Russia. Yes, Maria may be an extreme case - she came to States when she was 7. It doesn't make her US citizen automatically.

In fact, I think if she would get US citizenship, USTA would start pressing her hard to play under stars and stripes flag.

She may just have a green card.

 

[pound cat]

No Russian or any other Slav willl EVER consider themself as anything than the culture and language they were brought up in.

Tennis players who are "foreigners" use the advantages the USA to advance their career, but their hearts are in their homeland and always willl be. Davytdenko is Ukrainian and plays for Russia, Bogomolov Jr, now plays for Russia, not the US.

And that's the way it always has been & always will be in sports and wherever a country or person can further someone's career the person goes for it.

Life in the real world.


Sorry to disillusion you

 

[Love Game]

Does Sharapova have dual citizenship? I'm assuming she does however she chooses to represent Russia (for whatever reasons) and that is how the WTA categorizes her.

not sure about that. one has to apply for citizenship, and i've never heard that sharapova has ever even wanted to become an american citizen

 

[Love Game]

But, the issue driven by the sports press and the "panic" by the American press really is implying that the U.S. is not producing top players who represent the U.S. Foreign players, including many top players, have been training in the U.S. (Bolliteri's, etc.) forever. (Happens in other countries too, such as Safin and Kuznetsova training in Spain). So, the issue really isn't whether an American-based academy/coach can help develop a world class player (they can), the issue is having the academy/coach develp a world class player who is going to represent the U.S.A.

IMO, when you see "America isn't producing any champions" or something like that in an article, it's just shorthand for "America isn't producing any American champions."

good post ... america is producing plenty of champions ... for other countries! many. so many you've never heard about ... just added mertinak and matkowski to that list last year ... started liking them during the whole polish power portion of the bry/bry blog of the 2010 year-end WTF and just found out during the 2011 WTF that they also lived and went to school here for several years

i'm putting my faith in the tennis program management skills of patrick mcenroe for the foreseeable future of american tennis!

 

[Towerofpower205]

The Russian federation probably paid for a lot of ervtraining so she retains Russian citizenship

 

[jm1980]

So the question is this: when is a Russian really an American?

Once Russian, always Russian.

 

[Outbeyond]

The closest Russion to become an American was Gorbachev.

 

[Netspirit]

No Russian or any other Slav willl EVER consider themself as anything than the culture and language they were brought up in.

Life in the real world.

Sorry to disillusion you

I am purely Russian, which is my ethnicity, and I consider myself an American, which is my nationality, because that is my choice, my home and my future. Sorry to disillusion you, but the real world is more complex than you think.

 

[Raistlin]

You do know that neither Russia nor USA "officially allow" dual citizenships?

USA definitely allows dual citizenship, for example I am dual citizen of the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. I use both passports when I travel since there are advantages such as staying in both countries as long as you wish. However I'm not sure if Russia recognizes dual citizenship, particularly with the US.

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

How about Lisicki - Polish ancestry, trained at Bollitieri's since she was 14, born in and plays for Germany.

Ultimately I think where you're born/grow up at should trump all, but it is an interesting thing in that who gets 'credit' for a player's success. If a foreign player comes here and gets training from American facilities and has success, yet all we hear about is how America can't make great players anymore...we can, they just happen to not be 'American'.

 

[saguar0]

USA definitely allows dual citizenship, for example I am dual citizen of the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. I use both passports when I travel since there are advantages such as staying in both countries as long as you wish. However I'm not sure if Russia recognizes dual citizenship, particularly with the US.

Are you a naturalized US citizen? If yes, - then you took an oath, which states:

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;


So, no, America is not "allowing" dual citizenship. This is not enforced directly, but... if you are in Trinidad and Tobago and you entered this country on the local passport, - do not count on USA saving your butt if you get in trouble there - they won't

 

[saguar0]

No Russian or any other Slav willl EVER consider themself as anything than the culture and language they were brought up in.

Tennis players who are "foreigners" use the advantages the USA to advance their career, but their hearts are in their homeland and always willl be. Davytdenko is Ukrainian and plays for Russia, Bogomolov Jr, now plays for Russia, not the US.

And that's the way it always has been & always will be in sports and wherever a country or person can further someone's career the person goes for it.

Life in the real world.


Sorry to disillusion you

So, why Kukushkin is proudly playing for Kazakhstan, man?
He is Russian.

 

[rommil]

See Kafelnikov........ He is American now.

 

[Fee]

She is definitely a naturalized US citizen and holds dual citizenship with Russia.

Do you have a link? I just can't believe that if Maria had dual citizenship it wouldn't be mentioned by ESPN every time she stepped on a tennis court. This thread is the first time I've ever seen it mentioned. I cannot find any proof that she ever got US citizenship and considering how much attention Haas got when he got his, Maria having it would have garnered at least 3 threads on this forum.

 

[bluetrain4]

I'm not sure Sharapova has American citizenship. I Googled it and didn't find an answer. Her Wiki page just says that while she lives in America, she has retained her Russian citizenship (without saying if she has dual citizenship).

There certainly are situations where dual citizenship is allowed, though the U.S. government doesn't seem to promote dual citizenship.

Mary Pierce had dual citizenship due to her parents: father, American citizen, mother citizen of France. Additionally, she qualified for citizenship in Canada, as that is where she was born. Though she technically could have, I'm not sure she ever held triple citizenship as an adult.

 

[Raistlin]

Are you a naturalized US citizen? If yes, - then you took an oath, which states:

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;


So, no, America is not "allowing" dual citizenship. This is not enforced directly, but... if you are in Trinidad and Tobago and you entered this country on the local passport, - do not count on USA saving your butt if you get in trouble there - they won't

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

So you are partially correct....

 

[roysid]

Do you have a link? I just can't believe that if Maria had dual citizenship it wouldn't be mentioned by ESPN every time she stepped on a tennis court. This thread is the first time I've ever seen it mentioned. I cannot find any proof that she ever got US citizenship and considering how much attention Haas got when he got his, Maria having it would have garnered at least 3 threads on this forum.

Surely Maria haven't taken US citizenship just permanent residency.

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

So, why Kukushkin is proudly playing for Kazakhstan, man?
He is Russian.

Golubev and Korolev, and Shvedova on the women's side, are also Russians-turned-Kazakh.

 

[Terre Battu]

NOTE: Posting here in case others don't know about Serena...want to avoid spoilers.

Much has been made of the fact that all Americans have been eliminated from the AO 2012 singles race. But a number of remaining players actually live and train in the US.

A perfect example is Maria Sharapova. She moved to the US at age seven and has lived and trained here ever since. IMG, an American company, covered her initial training expenses in the US. She speaks perfect American-accented English. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2R6sCRV_B8 ) She retains her Russian citizenship but she is a naturalized American citizen.

Culturally Sharapova is truly an American and her training is essentially American except for a brief period in Russia age 4-6.

As far as I can tell there's at least one "American" still in the running: Sharapova. And there may be more that others can point out.

So the question is this: when is a Russian really an American?

She's American when she's winning and Russian when she's losing.
Sad, but that's how they do it in America.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

The Russian is an American when the Russian decides to be one.

NOTE: Posting here in case others don't know about Serena...want to avoid spoilers.

Much has been made of the fact that all Americans have been eliminated from the AO 2012 singles race. But a number of remaining players actually live and train in the US.

A perfect example is Maria Sharapova. She moved to the US at age seven and has lived and trained here ever since. IMG, an American company, covered her initial training expenses in the US. She speaks perfect American-accented English. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2R6sCRV_B8 ) She retains her Russian citizenship but she is a naturalized American citizen.

Culturally Sharapova is truly an American and her training is essentially American except for a brief period in Russia age 4-6.

As far as I can tell there's at least one "American" still in the running: Sharapova. And there may be more that others can point out.

So the question is this: when is a Russian really an American?

 

[saguar0]

Golubev and Korolev, and Shvedova on the women's side, are also Russians-turned-Kazakh.

Yup.

This is all about the money. All these players were in shadow of Youzhny, Davydenko and a whole string of higher ranked women players in Russia. So, they accepted Kazakh citizenship, because their tennis federation offered financial support.

Back to Sharapova. Does she have any financial obligations to play under US flag? How much money did USTA spend on her? Bollitieri academy is down in Florida - but it is a private business and they accept students from all over the world. USTA is welcome to provide scholarships for american players to go there (and I am sure they do), but so does German tennis federation etc.

It's a different story with Bogomolov - he actually accepted financial help from USTA, scholarships or what not. This is why USTA wanted Russian tennis federation to pay this money back. Last time I read in russian press it was $70K. I am on USTA side here...

 

[TimothyO]

Are you a naturalized US citizen? If yes, - then you took an oath, which states:

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;


So, no, America is not "allowing" dual citizenship. This is not enforced directly, but... if you are in Trinidad and Tobago and you entered this country on the local passport, - do not count on USA saving your butt if you get in trouble there - they won't

Saguar0,

Quick! Let the US government know about this dual citizenship issue. Seems that you're right and they're wrong since they allow dual citizenship.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=a2ec6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD



Back to reality and on topic, this question is sort of about "credit" for the production of top tennis talent and reality vs TV graphics.

Specifically, I noticed that the ESPN3 commentators kept saying that America isn't producing winners and/or there are no American winners. As others have pointed out, those are two different issues. It seems the US is good at training tennis players who "play for other countries".

But at this point, if a top tennis player lives in the US, trains in the US, is culturally American, and in some cases has US citizenship, I don't really see the player as "playing for another country". They're really just playing for a little icon next to their name on the TV screen since, in so many cases, their life and entire "tennis being" is truly American.

Yeah, nominally they're "playing for X", but at some critical level they've deliberately rejected that country when it comes to their daily lives and professional tennis development and chosen the US for their day to day life and professional development.

They could be playing for sentiment, but if it means so much then why reject that home country so profoundly when it comes to daily life and professional development? If the home country means so much why not embrace it fully?

IIRC Nadal lives and trains in Spain. Is that correct?

 

[saguar0]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

So you are partially correct....

Right, not sure about "partial" though. You took an oath to become US citizen. It is your responsibility to give up any other citizenships you may have, not US government's. Yes department of state recognizes that some people may not have done so and they can't really force you to, but if you have any legal troubles - you will be tried as american in US court and they won't help you in your old home country. That's it.

Having said all that... Russians do have a good excuse to keep their old passports after they become US citizens. Russia will charge you substantial amount of money (i think it was $1500 ballpark last time i checked) and put you through bureaucratic hell if you decide to give up their citizenship. So most of the russians here do not bother.

 

[PSNELKE]

Are Americans really that desperate now, that they´re searching for their idols in other countries, naturalizing them? lol

Even if Sharapova changes her citizenship, she would be American only on paper.

 

[slice bh compliment]

She's American when she's winning and Russian when she's losing.
Sad, but that's how they do it in America.

Human nature, which operates in the UK as well. Andy Murray is Scottish when he loses, Remember when he won that final over Rafa recently in Bangkok? He was British that week.

EDIT:
(Sorry to deviate. I realize this is about the citizenship and identity of Russians in the US).

Well, anyway, 'Vamos Muzzer!'

 

[Mainad]

Human nature, which operates in the UK as well. Andy Murray is Scottish when he loses.

That's become a bit of an urban myth. He's mainly referred to as both whether he wins or loses!

Remember when he won that final over Rafa recently in Bangkok? He was British that week.

It was Tokyo where he beat Rafa.

 

[slice bh compliment]

Yes, Tokyo. Thank you. Sorry for the error.

Anyway, about Murray...hahah, yeah, I suppose it's urban myth. But when my kids are sweet, diligent and wonderful, my wife proudly says they are hers. When they slack off on the academics or the table manners, they are apparently mine, haha.

 

[saguar0]

Saguar0,

Back to reality and on topic, this question is sort of about "credit" for the production of top tennis talent and reality vs TV graphics.

Specifically, I noticed that the ESPN3 commentators kept saying that America isn't producing winners and/or there are no American winners. As others have pointed out, those are two different issues. It seems the US is good at training tennis players who "play for other countries".

But at this point, if a top tennis player lives in the US, trains in the US, is culturally American, and in some cases has US citizenship, I don't really see the player as "playing for another country". They're really just playing for a little icon next to their name on the TV screen since, in so many cases, their life and entire "tennis being" is truly American.

Yeah, nominally they're "playing for X", but at some critical level they've deliberately rejected that country when it comes to their daily lives and professional tennis development and chosen the US for their day to day life and professional development.

They could be playing for sentiment, but if it means so much then why reject that home country so profoundly when it comes to daily life and professional development? If the home country means so much why not embrace it fully?

IIRC Nadal lives and trains in Spain. Is that correct?

Again, did USTA spend any money on Sharapova? I am sure she trains at private clubs and not public facilities and she pays for them. If the issue is ever raised w her - she can move to Europe at any time, esp. now when her boyfriend is playing in Turkey.

Not sure how you can claim for Sharapova if she is culturally American... do you know her personally? She speaks both languages fluently, she reads books in both languages (credit to her parents), she is Russian Orthodox Christian - I'd say your "cultural" claim is a coin toss.

If we go by the claim that all tennis players should be citizens of the country where they live and train, well, Monaco would have hellova Davis/Fed CUP team

 

[chatt_town]

They aren't producing any and won't be anytime soon until it changes it's way of thinking. It's funny how we continue to invest in everyone else with endorsements and such only to see those players continue to invest right back into their own countries. Sharapova is Russian. I know America has made her the richest female athlete in the world but she is still Russian. Maybe American will learn sooner or later and start investing in it's on people as tennis players.

But, the issue driven by the sports press and the "panic" by the American press really is implying that the U.S. is not producing top players who represent the U.S. Foreign players, including many top players, have been training in the U.S. (Bolliteri's, etc.) forever. (Happens in other countries too, such as Safin and Kuznetsova training in Spain). So, the issue really isn't whether an American-based academy/coach can help develop a world class player (they can), the issue is having the academy/coach develp a world class player who is going to represent the U.S.A.

IMO, when you see "America isn't producing any champions" or something like that in an article, it's just shorthand for "America isn't producing any American champions."

 

[bluetrain4]

I'd also add that when U.S. media declares that the "U.S. isn't producing tennis champions", they often seem to be implicitly saying that the U.S. "powers that be" (i.e., those responsible for U.S. tennis) aren't producing champions.

The U.S. doesn't have a sports/tennis federation funded by the government as some countries do. I guess our "federation" is the USTA and it is accurate to say that although many good players have recently been produced with the USTA's assistance and funding, none of that has led to a new, elite champions, at least for the foreseeable future.

That there are private academies and coaches located in the U.S. who churn out elite pros for other countries, is, somewhat besides the point. Arguably, if those academies existed with the exact same staff and resources somehere else, the results would be the same.

I think failure of the "U.S." is the failure of the governing body (USTA) and any other smaller tennis bodies who put it upon themselves to develop the next generation of American champions. It was never really the goal of private academies and coaches to limit themsleves to producing American champions, that's not their function, as where you could argue that it IS the USTA's function to develop champions through whatever means - sponsorships, funding, working with private academies, etc.

 

[chatt_town]

Terre,

I couldn't have said it better myself. America's problem is they invest it's resources everywhere else but here only to see the people they invest in take their resources and invest it elsewhere. For all we know Sharapova could be investing in Tennis facilities right back over in Russia. So it's no surprise here. America want's to claim any and eveything that is doing well but as soon as they are done, we are done with them. Sharapova knows that and that's why she is not a citizen. she's been here since she was what 7? That should tell you something.

She's American when she's winning and Russian when she's losing.
Sad, but that's how they do it in America.

 

[saguar0]

They aren't producing any and won't be anytime soon until it changes it's way of thinking. It's funny how we continue to invest in everyone else with endorsements and such only to see those players continue to invest right back into their own countries. Sharapova is Russian. I know America has made her the richest female athlete in the world but she is still Russian. Maybe American will learn sooner or later and start investing in it's on people as tennis players.

I agree with you, but we can't make Nike stop endorsing Federer, Nadal and Maria just because they are an american company - they sell products all over the world.

Should Nike support local talent, however? Yes, absolutely! USTA needs to get more "endorsements" from american companies to grow local tennis stars. USTA should have money to hire coaches, provide tennis scholarships to private tennis academies for american kids.

 

[chatt_town]

What the USTA does is get behind "well to do" families who can afford to pump 100,000 dollars into tennis. The reality is that doesn't equate to a champion. What they end up doing is taking a stiff like Isner who has really no talent and work with him for years and develop him into a much better player but at the end of the day, he doesn't have the talent it takes to beat a Nadal, fed and Murray in back to back to back matches and that's assuming he gets by a David Ferrer or even a at times a real good qualfier. They(USTA) has to change their way of thinking if they want to produce champions. All champions don't come from the suburbs. So they can either change their way of thinking or we can just watch all the other countries players past the 3rd and 4th rounds in the majors.

I'd also add that when U.S. media declares that the "U.S. isn't producing tennis champions", they often seem to be implicitly saying that the U.S. "powers that be" (i.e., those responsible for U.S. tennis) aren't producing champions.

The U.S. doesn't have a sports/tennis federation funded by the government as some countries do. I guess our "federation" is the USTA and it is accurate to say that although many good players have recently been produced with the USTA's assistance and funding, none of that has led to a new, elite champions, at least for the foreseeable future.

That there are private academies and coaches located in the U.S. who churn out elite pros for other countries, is, somewhat besides the point. Arguably, if those academies existed with the exact same staff and resources somehere else, the results would be the same.

I think failure of the "U.S." is the failure of the governing body (USTA) and any other smaller tennis bodies who put it upon themselves to develop the next generation of American champions.

 

[chatt_town]

adding to that though, the usta will have to look elsewhere for their talent pool. You can throw as much money as you want to at Isner or some of these other so called new and upcoming Americans and they will be pretty good, but you need to explore other areas outside the suburbs. Just throwing money at the same type of players isn't going to help develop them. They are getting all they can get and paying for the best but at the end they only have so much talent. That's the issue I don't think USTA or America for that matter is ready to deal with.

I agree with you, but we can't make Nike stop endorsing Federer, Nadal and Maria just because they are an american company - they sell products all over the world.

Should Nike support local talent, however? Yes, absolutely! USTA needs to get more "endorsements" from american companies to grow local tennis stars. USTA should have money to hire coaches, provide tennis scholarships to private tennis academies for american kids.

 

[saguar0]

adding to that though, the usta will have to look elsewhere for their talent pool. You can throw as much money as you want to at Isner or some of these other so called new and upcoming Americans and they will be pretty good, but you need to explore other areas outside the suburbs. Just throwing money at the same type of players isn't going to help develop them. They are getting all they can get and paying for the best but at the end they only have so much talent. That's the issue I don't think USTA or America for that matter is ready to deal with.

I agree.
But talent itself is not enough though. I think one of the reasons why we see so many eastern european girls being so successful in tennis, because this is really their chance to have a good, normal life. They are willing to work incredibly hard to get to the top, - there isn't much to lose for them.

 

[bluetrain4]

Another problem is simply that as the game has become more and more physical, and thus in addition to finding people with great tennis skills/potential, they also have to be great athletes, and the fact is that a lot of great athletes are lost to other sports.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

ps: hoping those russian words are not slang or something...

 

[saguar0]

ps: hoping those russian words are not slang or something...

It says - "Have you joined Bollitieri academy yet?"
:twisted:

 

[chatt_town]

You are right. Talent alone isn't going to get it. You can have all the talent but without instruction you will not get to the top and you do have to be willing to work hard. I guess my point is you can want to do all those things(working hard, have the money to do so etc) but at the end of the day if you can't move like a Fed or Nadal or Novak, you are only going to go so far. I guess 4 in the World isn't so bad. Look at Murray. He's making a pretty good living and so is even Monfis for that matter...Almagro etc...but they will never win a Major. So Champions are not taught really...they are born. The problem is you have to have talent to be developed into a champion.

I agree.
But talent itself is not enough though. I think one of the reasons why we see so many eastern european girls being so successful in tennis, because this is really their chance to have a good, normal life. They are willing to work incredibly hard to get to the top, - there isn't much to lose for them.