I’m excited to see that there’s a significant youth movement with American men’s tennis. A lot these young guys could be top-ten players eventually. Let’s hope they pan out like the guys from the late 80s and early 90s (Agassi, Chang, Courier and Sampras.) Some guys from that era didn’t quite breakthrough due to injury (Aaron Krickstein, Todd Martin, David Wheaton, etc.), but they were excellent players too when healthy.
Growing up in LV I had a few Agassi meetings I’ll always remember. He’s one of my all time favorite athletes. Always made young fans feel special. His book Open was a great read.
That was an amazing era for American tennis. Not only superb talent, but fantastic personalities. Pete and Andre owe each other nearly all their fame. They were like Larry & Magic.
Pete and Andre were perfect contrasts in style. Serve & volley vs. Service returns and baseline groundstrokes. I was an Agassi fan, so I didn’t like Sampras or Courier. I like and respect them now. What sucks is about Andy Roddick. Amazing player who got stuck in the era of Federer and Nadal. It’s akin to Clyde Drexler being forgotten because of Michael Jordan. Roddick was great, but he just had unfortunate timing that two guys dominated his era that were just a tiny bit better and played forever.
Roddick was a decade too late. If he came up around 1991 instead of 2001, he’d be considered the best American player. Having to deal with Federer and Nadal (and eventually Djokovic) was brutal. Having to wake up every morning and knowing that your best probably won’t most likely be good enough had to weigh on his psyche.
I dunno about that. Roddick was super fun to watch and could dominate with his amazing serve, but I don't think he was quite at the level of Pete or Andre. Just my subjective opinion. Sure miss the days of having an American male at the top of the game though.
Tennis can be funny. I remember Courier emerging as a power in tennis just before Agassi and Sampras established themselves consistently at the top (although Sampras did win an early US Open).
Courier pretty much dominated the tour for about 2-3 years and then was never a real contending threat again after the age of 22-23, while Sampras and Agassi went on for about 15 years after that at the top of the tour.
I’m still sad about Courier defeating Agassi in the 1991 French Open final. Ruined my day as a kid. I saw Courier destroy Agassi in Columbus at an exhibition match at Wickertree soon after. Jim was a great player. I like him now, but not then.
Same. I was a kid at the time rooting for Agassi as well. I didn't mind Sampras but always liked Agassi best in that era. I did not like Courier at all at the time for whatever reason.
Mentally it had to be defeating for most players to know over the last 15-20 years they had almost no chance at winning a major. Most players showed up on the court and didn't really think they could beat the big 3.
This is the time for an American star to emerge. I'm putting my money on Korda.
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How do you say BOOM! in Australian?
Hmm
Bloomin’ Onion!
I’m excited to see that there’s a significant youth movement with American men’s tennis. A lot these young guys could be top-ten players eventually. Let’s hope they pan out like the guys from the late 80s and early 90s (Agassi, Chang, Courier and Sampras.) Some guys from that era didn’t quite breakthrough due to injury (Aaron Krickstein, Todd Martin, David Wheaton, etc.), but they were excellent players too when healthy.
Growing up in LV I had a few Agassi meetings I’ll always remember. He’s one of my all time favorite athletes. Always made young fans feel special. His book Open was a great read.
That was an amazing era for American tennis. Not only superb talent, but fantastic personalities. Pete and Andre owe each other nearly all their fame. They were like Larry & Magic.
Hmm
Pete and Andre were perfect contrasts in style. Serve & volley vs. Service returns and baseline groundstrokes. I was an Agassi fan, so I didn’t like Sampras or Courier. I like and respect them now. What sucks is about Andy Roddick. Amazing player who got stuck in the era of Federer and Nadal. It’s akin to Clyde Drexler being forgotten because of Michael Jordan. Roddick was great, but he just had unfortunate timing that two guys dominated his era that were just a tiny bit better and played forever.
Roddick was a decade too late. If he came up around 1991 instead of 2001, he’d be considered the best American player. Having to deal with Federer and Nadal (and eventually Djokovic) was brutal. Having to wake up every morning and knowing that your best probably won’t most likely be good enough had to weigh on his psyche.
I dunno about that. Roddick was super fun to watch and could dominate with his amazing serve, but I don't think he was quite at the level of Pete or Andre. Just my subjective opinion. Sure miss the days of having an American male at the top of the game though.
vacuuming sucks
Tennis can be funny. I remember Courier emerging as a power in tennis just before Agassi and Sampras established themselves consistently at the top (although Sampras did win an early US Open).
Courier pretty much dominated the tour for about 2-3 years and then was never a real contending threat again after the age of 22-23, while Sampras and Agassi went on for about 15 years after that at the top of the tour.
I’m still sad about Courier defeating Agassi in the 1991 French Open final. Ruined my day as a kid. I saw Courier destroy Agassi in Columbus at an exhibition match at Wickertree soon after. Jim was a great player. I like him now, but not then.
Same. I was a kid at the time rooting for Agassi as well. I didn't mind Sampras but always liked Agassi best in that era. I did not like Courier at all at the time for whatever reason.
One of my favorite Agassi quotes about Sampras was that he “looks like he just swung out of a tree.” Oh, I miss 90s American tennis.
Large number of American men thru to 3rd round and at least 2 all-American matches there. Maybe the start of a new generation of American men stars.
JWilly3
Mentally it had to be defeating for most players to know over the last 15-20 years they had almost no chance at winning a major. Most players showed up on the court and didn't really think they could beat the big 3.
This is the time for an American star to emerge. I'm putting my money on Korda.
Adam Meyers-White is inappropriate to write.
I remember Petr Korda getting busted for PEDs in the late 90s, which made me laugh since he was a string bean. Great player though.
J.J. Wolf plays fellow American Michael Mmoh tonight around 10:30pm EST. If Wolf wins, he’ll advance to his first Grand Slam quarterfinals.
J.J. Wolf’s match is coming up shortly on ESPN2. Let’s cheer for our Buckeye great!
Why are they showing the Rune match?
Send in the Wolf, ESPN2!!!
Wolf up 2-1 in the first set with Mmoh on serve…
Mmoh broke Wolf’s service game to go up 4-3 in the first set.
Wolf breaks back 5-4. Mmoh on service to take it to a tiebreaker.
All gas, no sleeves. Go J.J.!!!
Wolf won the first set 6-4 and is leading the second 3-0.
up 5-0 in the second set.
JJ wins the second set 6-1
Huuuuge!!!
Wolf is on fire!
Wolf advances.
Big win!!! Amazing!
6-4, 6-1, 6-2
SWEEP!
Wolf ate Mmoh up quickly.
On to the quarterfinals!