Jose Higueras, the USTA director of coaching, said he wouldn’t be surprised if an American male player competes for prestigious tennis titles in the next five years.
He listed a few big “ifs,” though, and emphasized one repeatedly.
“If you look at Spain or France or any of those countries, a lot of players that were very good (go) back into the coaching world somehow and the tennis world,” Higueras said. “And I think that’s something we are definitely looking into. … Not necessarily coach, but I think in any way shape or form that we can keep (former players) around our kids and around our players, it’s always going to be a huge benefit and a huge inspiration for the kids, also.”
The former world No. 1 is interested.
Andy Roddick said he wants to help young players any way he can Monday at the 2015 Atlanta BB&T Open. There just needs to be a structured way to do it.
“If the former players can be a small part of it or sounding board, I know James (Blake), I know Mardy (Fish) and I know myself,” Roddick said. “We’ve always been pretty open to that. Now it’s just about finding an organized infrastructure that is consistent as far as inclusion of former players.”
The U.S. has not produced a men’s Grand Slam champion since 2003 (Andre Agassi in the Australian Open and Roddick in the U.S. Open). The current ATP rankings include just two Americans in the top 30: No. 19 John Isner and No. 30 Sam Querrey.
Roddick said he’s encouraged by Martin Blackman, the USTA’s new general manager of player development, and how he’s trying to attract former players to help out.
“All you can do is be available. Martin and I had a great conversation and I’m happy to see him here having those conversations with a lot of different guys,” Roddick said. “I think that’s the direction it needs to go in. I think we all report to the flag that we play under as opposed to a logo, I think that’s an important thing. Hopefully this is a new chapter.”
Roddick, who’s briefly leaving the broadcast booth to play doubles this week with Fish, will play alongside several of America’s best young men’s tennis players at the BB&T Open.
Two 22-year-olds, Jack Sock and Denis Kudla, sit in the top 100. And 17-year-old Frances Tiafoe, fresh off his first French Open, sits No. 274 after ranking 1,142th in January.
Tiafoe said he appreciates any time around ex-pros.
“(I) soak anything in that anybody wants to give me,” he said. “I’m all for listening and I’m all for getting better.”
Blackman, almost four months into the job, said finding the right way to get former pros involved with young players is one of his biggest challenges.
He also talked about some other USTA goals, like making it less expensive to play and adjusting the junior competitive structure.
“Players have different levels of commitment,” he said. “Some players want to play other sports, some players really enjoy playing locally, some players really want to get into the national pathway. Just making sure the players and families have access to the type of event that fits their preferences.”
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