Another Grand Slam event has passed and no American players were serious contenders for the title. What is the USTA Player Development Program doing?
Rafael Nadal won another French Open. Rafa has now won nine French titles. Since the first tournament in 1891, Americans have won the event a total of 11 times. Four of those victories have come during the open era.
On the women’s side Maria Sharapova captured her second French Open. She defeated 20-year old Simona Halep in a knockdown-dragout match that lasted for more than three hours.
With the exception of John Isner and Sloane Stephens, the American players had a lackluster performance. After Isner, the highest ranking American male was ranked 64th.
In the men’s draw Bradley Klahn (71), Michael Russell (98), and Robby Ginepri (279) lost in the first round.
Sam Querrey (67) and Steve Johnson (64) won their first round matches, but lost in the second round.
Donald Young (79) and Jack Sock (75) won two rounds before bowing out in the third round.
John Isner (11), seeded 10th, held his seed by winning three matches before being defeated in the round of 16.
Overall, the American men won 9 matches and lost 8.
On the women’s side, tennis enthusiasts got a sneak peak of American tennis without the Williams sisters. Fans anticipated seeing the players face off in their third round; however, both Venus and Serena lost in the second round.
Only Taylor Townsend and Sloane Stephens advanced beyond the second round. Townsend won two matches before losing in the third round and Stephens won three before she was defeated in the fourth round.
In the last six Grand Slams she has reached the fourth round. In four of those tournaments she was the last American in the bracket. That sounds good, on paper, but….
The following American women fell in the first round: Grace Min, Lauren Davis, Christina McHale, Vania King, Shelby Rogers, Anna Tatishvili, and Madison Keys.
In addition to the Williams sisters, the second round losers included Varvara Lepchenko, Coco Vandeweghe, and Alison Riske.
At the moment Serena Williams is the only elite American male or female player. Although John Isner has been consistent, it is unlikely he will win a Grand Slam event.
Stephens has shown that she has the potential to play in the upper echelon. Time will tell whether there are too many players such as Simona Halep, Eugenie Bouchard, Belinda Bencic, and Garbine Maguruza, who will prevent her from being an elite player.
Another Grand Slam has passed and there is no evidence the USTA Player Development Program is having an impact on American tennis.