No Americans on courts (at end of America’s 2nd biggest tennis tournament)

INDIAN WELLS — So we reached the closing weekend of what arguably is the country’s second biggest tennis tournament, the BNP Paribas Open, and there wasn’t an American in sight.

On the courts. There were many Americans, as well as people from other countries and cultures, in the stands. Which Friday were almost full for the women’s semi-finals, when Aryna Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova, 6-3, 6-4, and Elena Rybakina defeated Elina Svitolina, 7-5, 6-4.        

Yes, it can be pointed out that Coco Gauff, the US women’s star, who is number 4 in the world, and has won two majors, injured her arm a few days earlier and withdrew, and Taylor Fritz, the local kid who was a finalist in the 2024 US Open, has been affected by tendonitis. 

You have to wonder what’s happened to the supposed revival of US Tennis? And does it matter? Are tennis people in the United States sophisticated enough that they are ready to choose talent over nationality?

Not that it would hurt to have a few American players on the marquee, as we had recently, with people such as the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena. The last US male player to win a Grand Slam title was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.

Carlos Alcarez is from Spain, Jannik Sinner from Italy, and Sabalenka and Rybakina are from Russia. Indeed, they all speak English, which is wonderful for the post-match interviews on Tennis Channel.

Jessica Pegula made an admirably impressive appearance in this BNP before losing in the quarterfinals to Rybakina, 6-1, 7-6. Is that enough to keep US fans appreciative?

Gauff, 23, might be the answer to many of the questions. She is skilled, dedicated, and outgoing, the perfect combination to both getting titles and getting attention. All she has to do is stay healthy and not get stymied by double faults.

The issue for the men is more complex. According to a recent article, a young male in the US has almost too many sporting options. He can play tennis, baseball, basketball, football or golf. John Isner, 6-foot-10, opted for hitting a ball over the net rather than shooting a ball through the net. That was a rare decision.

Another difficulty, we are told, is that the U.S. Tennis Association “has a scattered system that focuses more on quick wins than on building true champions. There are no strong programs for playing on clay courts or training mental toughness, and coaching methods vary too much. At the same time, it can cost half a million dollars or more to train one player, locking out almost everyone except those with deep pockets.”

The people who constructed Indian Wells have deep pockets. And to a point so do those who fill the seats at the annual BNP event. 

It would be great to have an American at the top of the rankings. Otherwise, we’ll settle for the best in the game showing up at Indian Wells.