SPORTS
His failure completed a dismal day for the US after 33-year-old James Blake was outclassed by Australian Bernard Tomic and Denis Kulda also lost in straight sets to Croat Ivan Dodig.
For the first time in 101 years no American will be playing in the third round of the men's singles at Wimbledon. That dismal fact was confirmed on Thursday when their last man standing, 156th ranked qualifier Bobby Reynolds, bowed out to world number one Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
His failure completed a dismal day for the US after 33-year-old James Blake was outclassed by Australian Bernard Tomic and Denis Kulda also lost in straight sets to Croat Ivan Dodig. The statistics really do make for depressing reading. The last time American men failed to reach the third round was 1912, when in fact none entered in the draw. In 1911, one American competed in the men's singles but perished before the third round.
The US men have now gone a record 39 grand slams in a row without a triumph - comfortably beating the 31 blanks they suffered from the 1955 US Open to Wimbledon in 1963.
It was a bitter blow for the elegant Blake, bidding to reach the third round at the All England Club for the first time in six years. He could never get to grips with the rangy Tomic, who is 13 years his junior.
The US used to have a production line that developed glorious players such as Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier who were constantly battling for the number one spot.
Not any more. Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a grand slam and hold the number one ranking in 2003 but he retired last year. Sam Querrey is their top player at 19th but lost in five sets to Australian Bernard Tomic in the Wimbledon first round. The only other American men in the world's top 50 are John isner (21), who retired hurt after two games of his second round match on Wednesday, and Mardy Fish (43) who was unable to play at Wimbledon due to a heart condition.
The contrast between the men's performances and the US women's game could not be sharper with defending Wimbledon champion Serena Williams so utterly dominant and a string of promising youngsters like Madison Keys coming through.
Tennis players have become bigger and stronger but American youngsters with the right physique are attracted more to the dominant domestic sports of American football and basketball. Former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe pinpointed that as one of the biggest headaches faced by American tennis today.
"If you want to compete and win majors at this stage, the athleticism necessary is becoming even more exceptional," he said. "That's something we have to try to search out and provide the opportunity for kids that don't have it." Tennis also needs to increase efforts to catch them young.
"Girls are much more likely to play tennis than boys. The greatest American athletes played football or basketball. We are lower down on the totem pole," McEnroe said. "We're certainly not where we want to be, no doubt about that." Four-times grand slam champion Courier, speaking to Reuters during a rain break at Wimbledon, said: "Mardy Fish isn't here. He would probably have done very well at this tournament. He made the fourth round last year."
However, the former Wimbledon finalist also conceded that tennis has to fight hard to attract the best American athletes who then face a battle to compete with the world's best. "The game is international, it's tough and no one is entitled because they wear the Stars and Stripes to win a round. They have to earn it," he said.
"Tennis is about number 10 as far as popularity is concerned. Our best athletes are spread through other sports. "There is no sense of entitlement for anybody from any nation. This is a meritocracy out here," added Courier.
The 30-year-old Reynolds could not put his finger on why his fellow American men had struggled at Wimbledon this year but said his country just did not have so many top players anymore. "I think the USTA is doing a good job and a lot of guys are coming up.
They're knocking on the doorstep of top 100," he told a news conference after his straight sets defeat by Djokovic. "...they're young. But I think they have a lot of potential. Maybe, you know, just a couple years hopefully a good one's coming," Reynolds added.
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral
World Diabetes Day 2024: Types, causes, precaution to avoid this chronic disease
Children's Day 2024: 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes to share on bal diwas
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st T20I live in India?
IND vs SA: Ramandeep Singh achieves THIS feat on T20I debut, joins Suryakumar Yadav in elite list
Meet man who used to earn just Rs 65, now heads Rs 23416 crore company, he is…
DNA TV Show: Arsh Dalla, Khalistani terrorist, arrested in Canada
Pushpa 2 first review: Rashmika Mandanna says Allu Arjun movie is 'freaking amazing'
SA vs IND: Tilak Varma scripts history with maiden century in 3rd T20I against South Africa
Delhi becomes world's most polluted city, overtakes Pakistan's Lahore, AQI recorded at...
Last Supermoon of 2024: Know when and how to watch it and other details here
Noida man arrested for creating ‘cannabis nursery’ inside house after being inspired by…
Actor John Krasinski named 'Sexiest Man Alive 2024' by People magazine
Meet outsider who worked in bank for eight years, became OTT star, will now star opposite Kajol in..
What is wedding invitation scam, how to protect yourself from it?
Arjun Tendulkar achieves rare feat which father Sachin Tendulkar never did in his 25-year career
Mukesh Ambani suffers Rs 12548 crore loss after buying Star from Disney, here's how
Ananya Panday sets Instagram on fire in sizzling bikini; BFF Suhana Khan, mom Bhavana Pandey react
International Trade Fair 2024 in Delhi from Nov 14: Know ticket price, timings, venue and more