Americans Eliminated from Wimbledon

If you're a tennis fan, you have to be disheartened by the lack of inspiring play by the American players at Wimbledon this year. After yesterday's loss by 62nd-ranked Shenay Perry, no Americans are remaining in the tournament. Andre Agassi, Venus Williams and Andy Roddick were all eliminated over the weekend.

It's shocking to many fans and players. Pam Shriver, the 1978 U.S. Open runner-up and winner of 22 Grand Slam doubles titles, said "It's a little depressing, and it's a concern if you care about U.S. tennis."

John McEnroe, who is calling the matches for NBC, had harsher words. "I'm beginning to question the drive of some of these players," he said.

Last year, three of the four singles finalists at Wimbledon were Americans. The U.S. has won more men's (33) and women's (50) singles championships at Wimbledon than any other country.

Certainly the absence of Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams make a difference on the ladies' side. But is there a lack of drive of U.S. players? Or is it simply a lack of talent and experience?

The U.S. players appear to be in transition. On the one side, you have a bunch of older players fighting injury or are ready to retire. Then you have younger players who are still gaining experience. It may be simply that the international players are catching the Americans in a down cycle. How long that cycle lasts remains to be seen. The young rising tennis stars seem to be coming from Europe these days (e.g. Rafael Nadal). I don't seen this on the American side.

I think once Davenport and Serena Williams return from their injuries, that might get the Americans back on track. It may take longer on the men's side. With Agassi retiring and Roddick underachieving, someone else needs to step forward as the next rising star.