Watching progress at Wimbledon and I see that there are no US male players left in the final 16 of the singles tournament. That surprises me as we were so used to the event being a 50/50 split between the USA and everyone else. Is tennis less popular these days, is it just an unlucky tournament for them this year or is it that there are not the top players any more?

On the female side you are at least guaranteed a US player through to the next round as two are playing each other and one of the Williams will surely get through to the end.

I think it may be an attitude problem, I just don't see US players with the work ethic and calm demeanor/maturity of Federer or Nadal.

There IS still a US male still in Wimbledon

Serena Williams

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Ken Sp.
There IS still a US male still in Wimbledon

Serena Williams

Male? Serena Williams? What a needlessly snide and stupid remark!





(Hoping these picture links are allowed)

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[picasaweb.google.com] [www.flickr.com]

Part of it is a diminished popularity of tennis as a sport here. Part is fewer courts, especially public courts, in many areas of the country. With local tax revenues having to take on larger costs with limited ability to raise them, the sports lobbies for the "big" sports like baseball, basketball and football cause much to be spent on those. Leaves little money left over for the rest like tennis. Even then, extra fees for students playing sports in school have been skyrocketing the last decade.

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I haven't seen a public court with nets in years.

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I used to be a big tennis fan and played (and watched) regularly. Even had a "tennis pro" want to instruct me as he thought I had potential for great things...LOL. I think my personal disinterest began when the racquets started coming with the turbo button on them (or was it just the composite nature of the material?). Wasn't a conscious thought on my behalf I don't think. It just got really boring to watch compared to the grandeur that was a Borg/Conners/McEnroe match. I'm not saying that todays players are less talented but it's a more power/less skill game today. You can be good with less today. In part due to the racquets as well as the fact that players bust their tail in the gyms and are stronger.

Not sure what the solution is (or if there needs to be one). It is what it is. Baseball would be far less appealing to me if they all used aluminum or composite bats, too. I like that they still use wooden bats. Don't much care for college/high school baseball games in part because of the bats used.

Anyway, just one American's input and I know it doesn't apply to all.


(And c'mon, if someone can't at least see a hint of masculinity in Serena then they are just trying to be extremely PC. Maybe the comment wasn't necessary but it surely isn't unfounded.)

Tennis has never been super popular in the US.

John McEnroe made it interesting.

Andre Agassi
made it OK.

JJ

I think there are so many popular sports now. You've got the biggies, and increasing popularity of sports like soccer and lacrosse. Not enough athletes to go around.

I think serena has been attractive at times. I like ladies with muscles. kj.

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Ken Sp.
There IS still a US male still in Wimbledon

Serena Williams

If she's male then I'm gay.

Use me, baby!

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And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.
—Friedrich Nietzsche
Western Massachusetts

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blooz
If she's male then I'm gay.

Use me, baby!

I'll second that. If "strength" and "power" can only equal "male" for you, you're head is in a world that's gone and is never coming back.

And I'd lay a few bucks that U.S. men's tennis will find new stars sooner or later. Droughts happen.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2008 10:45PM by Blankity Blank.

Tennis in the US is as popular as horseshoes I was once told.