Comments on: Where have all the great American male tennis players gone? http://www.scoresreport.com/2008/09/05/where-have-all-the-great-american-male-tennis-players-gone/ The National Sports Blog Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:52:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Lars http://www.scoresreport.com/2008/09/05/where-have-all-the-great-american-male-tennis-players-gone/#comment-1032767 Lars Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:33:50 +0000 http://www.scoresreport.com/?p=5402#comment-1032767 Good article, and correct in my estimation. When I was growing up (born in '63) the big sports were basketball, baseball and football. Of course tennis was not as big as those sports, but it was somewhat popular. Today young Americans are attracted to the big 3 sports, and so many others, including soccer (which was truly not that popular when I was young). I also want to say something else that I find very disappointing in the American male tennis players that I think is a turn-off to many people. Many of the top American male players are not the best sportsmen and often come across as being whiny or hot heads. Roddick, Fish, Isner all do little to promote their sport as far as their attitudes/character on court. It is true that they do good things off court for charity, but what American really has the charisma and impeccable sense of sportsmanship as a Federer or Nadal? I think James Blake comes the closest, but I have such a hard time rooting for the top American men because of their uninspiring personalities. I doubt there is much that can be done about this in the future, I think it is all result of having so many sports in the country, and a real change in how the younger generations view the world/their sense of entitlement. I think we will be surprised by another great American player at some point, just based on the luck of some great DNA, but I sadly feel the days of several American male tennis players ruling the planet at the same time are over. Good article, and correct in my estimation.

When I was growing up (born in ’63) the big sports were basketball, baseball and football. Of course tennis was not as big as those sports, but it was somewhat popular. Today young Americans are attracted to the big 3 sports, and so many others, including soccer (which was truly not that popular when I was young).

I also want to say something else that I find very disappointing in the American male tennis players that I think is a turn-off to many people. Many of the top American male players are not the best sportsmen and often come across as being whiny or hot heads. Roddick, Fish, Isner all do little to promote their sport as far as their attitudes/character on court. It is true that they do good things off court for charity, but what American really has the charisma and impeccable sense of sportsmanship as a Federer or Nadal? I think James Blake comes the closest, but I have such a hard time rooting for the top American men because of their uninspiring personalities.

I doubt there is much that can be done about this in the future, I think it is all result of having so many sports in the country, and a real change in how the younger generations view the world/their sense of entitlement. I think we will be surprised by another great American player at some point, just based on the luck of some great DNA, but I sadly feel the days of several American male tennis players ruling the planet at the same time are over.

]]> By: Chris http://www.scoresreport.com/2008/09/05/where-have-all-the-great-american-male-tennis-players-gone/#comment-190069 Chris Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:14:32 +0000 http://www.scoresreport.com/?p=5402#comment-190069 It's been noted that more Americans are picking up a racket at a younger age and giving tennis a shot. What this data neglects to say is how long they give it a go. Not long is probably the answer. The lack of a dominant male American tennis player is a likely turn-off for a youngster in high school. It's been almost a decade without an American on top, which, unfortunately, causes many to give up the sport. "Dad, but I'm going to have to play the Serbians." It’s been noted that more Americans are picking up a racket at a younger age and giving tennis a shot. What this data neglects to say is how long they give it a go. Not long is probably the answer. The lack of a dominant male American tennis player is a likely turn-off for a youngster in high school. It’s been almost a decade without an American on top, which, unfortunately, causes many to give up the sport.

“Dad, but I’m going to have to play the Serbians.”

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