Probably Pete was a bit a frustrated for his performance at the IPTL or he was just honest, but he just can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel for American tennis.
Sampras and Agassi were the last great (ATP) players that American tennis could dish out. After that everything was bleak. If you consider that Pete retired in 2002 and Andre in 2006… well 8 years of misery it’s a big gap for American tennis.
So the USA are missing the huge names of the past (Ashe, Connors, McEnroe, Courier, Sampras and Agassi), the current state is terrible and there is not much the immediate future.
The two top American players are currently Isner (world no.19) and Querrey (no.35). The only “hope” is Jack Sock (no.42)… but it’s definitely not enough for a nation with such a great passion on tennis.
Sampras: I do not see anyone…
Pete commented “It looks a little bit on the slim side for American tennis. I don’t see anyone or really even know anyone that people talking about breaking through or even getting to the Top 10. We gotta take small steps you know. “
…the game is so international
The he added “We are not in the 90’s anymore. The game has become so international and so global these days and a lot of kids are playing tennis around the world. It’s tougher on the Americans. Maybe the other kids are just more hungrier and we are just not producing enough young pros with potential. Hopefully, it’s a phase and it won’t last too long.”
DEFINITELY AN IMAGE OF THE PAST
ANDRE IN 1992
Pete in 1999
