Andy Roddick hugs the U.S. Open trophy after winning his first grand slam title in September 2003.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
Andy Roddick hugs the U.S. Open trophy after winning his first grand slam title in September 2003.
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Nine years later Roddick walked off the court for the last time in New York, having failed to add to that major victory. American tennis is still waiting for another male grand slam winner.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
Nine years later Roddick walked off the court for the last time in New York, having failed to add to that major victory. American tennis is still waiting for another male grand slam winner.
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Following Roddick's retirement, John Isner is now the top-ranked American men's player. He reached a career-high ninth last year but has yet to go past the quarterfinals of a grand slam.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
Following Roddick's retirement, John Isner is now the top-ranked American men's player. He reached a career-high ninth last year but has yet to go past the quarterfinals of a grand slam.
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The Harrison brothers are being tipped as the next big U.S. hopes. Ryan, right, has already won more than $1 million in prize money and represented his country in Davis Cup, while Christian -- two years younger at 18 -- is ranked 392nd.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
The Harrison brothers are being tipped as the next big U.S. hopes. Ryan, right, has already won more than $1 million in prize money and represented his country in Davis Cup, while Christian -- two years younger at 18 -- is ranked 392nd.
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Jimmy Connors led the way for the U.S. in the 1970s, winning five of the 12 grand slams captured by American men that decade.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
Jimmy Connors led the way for the U.S. in the 1970s, winning five of the 12 grand slams captured by American men that decade.
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His great rival John McEnroe claimed six of the 11 won by U.S. men in the 1980s, with Connors taking three of those.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
His great rival John McEnroe claimed six of the 11 won by U.S. men in the 1980s, with Connors taking three of those.
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There was a lull of five years between McEnroe's seventh and final grand slam to the 1989 French Open victory of Michael Chang, left, who beat Stefan Edberg as a 17-year-old to become the youngest winner of a major.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
There was a lull of five years between McEnroe's seventh and final grand slam to the 1989 French Open victory of Michael Chang, left, who beat Stefan Edberg as a 17-year-old to become the youngest winner of a major.
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Pete Sampras won his first grand slam the following year before Jim Courier (pictured) took home four of the next nine on the schedule as he became world No. 1 at the age of 22.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
Pete Sampras won his first grand slam the following year before Jim Courier (pictured) took home four of the next nine on the schedule as he became world No. 1 at the age of 22.
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But it was Sampras who defined that golden generation of U.S. men's tennis as he won 12 of 21 grand slams captured by Americans in the 1990s.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
But it was Sampras who defined that golden generation of U.S. men's tennis as he won 12 of 21 grand slams captured by Americans in the 1990s.
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Andre Agassi's eighth and final grand slam win came at the 2003 Australian Open. He had won three by early 1995, but had to wait another four years for his next.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
Andre Agassi's eighth and final grand slam win came at the 2003 Australian Open. He had won three by early 1995, but had to wait another four years for his next.
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A young Agassi sits with his coach Nick Bollettieri in 1990. Bollettieri was so impressed by Agassi that he gave him a free scholarship at his academy.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
A young Agassi sits with his coach Nick Bollettieri in 1990. Bollettieri was so impressed by Agassi that he gave him a free scholarship at his academy.
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Bollettieri has worked with many of the world's top men's and women's players. He believes that hopes of a future "golden generation" in the U.S. are unlikely due to the competition from better-paid rival sports such as American football and basketball.
The future of U.S. men's tennis? —
Bollettieri has worked with many of the world's top men's and women's players. He believes that hopes of a future "golden generation" in the U.S. are unlikely due to the competition from better-paid rival sports such as American football and basketball.
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