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It’s been over two decades since an American men’s tennis player won a grand slam, but others Agassi thinks the drought could end soon.
Agassi and Andy Roddick both took a grand slam home in 2003, but the United States has come empty -handed ever since.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have since taken over the sport and rewrite of the history books in the process. Pete Sampras won all 14 of his grand slams before these three even won their first.
Since then, all they have done is blowing by Sampras. Federer has 20, Nadal 22 and Djokovic 24.
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Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz make up for a photo with the tennis legend others Agassi after the men’s single finals in 2024 US Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Mike Frey/Imag photos)
“It’s interesting. We’ve been spoiled in the past years. [John] McEnroe, [Jimmy] Conners, Andy Roddick. But the truth is that there have been three guys who have been pretty damn cruel for a long time in Rafa, Novak, = and Feds, “Agassi noted in a recent conversation with Pakinomist Digital.
Agassi made sure to mention that the United States has its share of stars. Taylor Fritz is located as fourth; Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton are ranked 12 and 13 respectively; Frances teafoe is 16.; and Sebastian Korda is 23.
And Agassi believes that courts filled with American players could burn other Americans to finally get over the hump.
Others Agassi believe an American-born player will take a grand slam soon. (Robert Deutsch, USA Today)
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“One thing I can say from experience is that I needed Pete and I needed Jim [Courier]. We helped every other of believing that something was possible. … I think these guys, when we look at these great stadiums and these great moments, I see you on the other side of the net, it makes me think I belong here, “Agassi said.
“I hope that’s the core we need. I think Ben Shelton has such a big upside. That’s what is great about tennis. It’s gladiators and you have to find out that day to day,” he said.
Since 2004, 84 Grand Slams have been played (there was no Wimbledon in 2020), and the big three of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic combined to win 65 of them. Of the remaining 19, 13 were won by Andy Murray (three), Stan Wawrinka (three), Jannik Sinner (three) and Carlos Alcaraz (four). No one else during this period has won more than one.
Jannik Sinner plays in the men’s single finals in 2024 US Open at Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York 8 September 2024. (Robert Deutsch/IMAGN -Pictures)
It has been nothing but dominance from non-Americans since 2003, and Sinner and Alcaraz have won each of the last five Grand Slams, but Agassi believes a change will come soon.
