As we move closer and closer to the time when Andy Roddick and James Blake will ride off into the sunset, the United States is faced with the very real possibility that it will not have a top 10 player for quite some time; something that hasn't occurred in decades.

The time for brutal honesty is upon us. Is there any young American with a talent level worthy of the top 10? Pickins appear to be slim.

The first choice that comes to mind is the youngster Sam Querrey. As nice and laid back a guy as Sam is, let us speak frankly. Querrey has top 20 potential, but that is where he will most likely max out between 16-28. The serve is strong. The forehand is big. The backhand is solid. But the movement and the transition game will be exposed against the top level guys.

Querrey will be a very solid pro and an increasingly tough out, but put him up against an Andy Murray and the best he can hope fore is to push it to 4 sets. Querrey just doesn't have that extra gear, the added ability to hit truly amazing shots when needed.

As for John Isner, man cannot live on serve alone. Enough said. John is a lesser version of Dr. Ivo. He has a professional caliber serve, but the remainder of his game is collegiate level.

Really we are left with Donald Young. Where is Donald these days? Certainly not ranked high enough to get into Grand Slam events any longer. Mentally, we can't even begin to assess the damage that has been done to this kid's mind by his parents pushing him to turn profession at age 14. Age 14!

Seriously, we aren't talking about a girl, who's body matures at a faster rate than a boy's. We are talking about a kid, barely reaching puberty. A 130 pound kid being thrown in the ring with grown men. All in the name of a Nike contract.

Before we continue to tear into his parents (as we will), lets take a minute to point out that Donald Young is a genius. When John McEnroe declares that a kid has hands like him, but also has major pop off the ground, there's a statement being made. Donald is quick. He can serve in the mid 130's. He can serve and volley. He can anticipate with the best. He can improvise as well as anyone.

Donald Young is lacking two things. These two things are keeping him from becoming anything resembling a threat. The first is the ability to put his weapons together into any kind of a strategy. The second, is any sense of authority in his own life.

Back to the parents. Not only did the young's sell there son out for a quick pay check, but they didn't know when to seek real help. Mike Agassi realized by the time his son Andre was 13 that there was nothing more that he could personally do for his tennis. He found Nick Bollitieri. Donald Young needs a world class coach. He needs to get away from his parents and listen to a Brad Gilbert, a Larry Stefanki, a Todd Martin. Someone who has a legitimate track record of success.

If he doesn't do it soon, the game is going to pass him by completely. But if he does get real help, and put the pieces together Donald Young has world No. 1 caliber talent. I know it might sound far-fetched, but I have seen him with my own eyes. The talent is there, in spades. The kid has no clue how to put the puzzle together.

The parents are his entire world. He is convinced that they know whats best for him. The thing is, I'm not disputing that they love their son. I'm not disputing that they are doing the best they can. But there is also no disputing the results. The kid needs to grow up and make his own decisions for his own career. Donald; hire a coach and put a new American in the top 10!