Tennis: Davis Cup Begins...But Is Anyone Watching?

Most people who frequent this website probably aren't particularly concerned about the state of men's tennis these days, and I am here to tell you, that is a problem. 

It's not a problem because men's tennis is so fantastic and riveting that you should be hanging on every drop shot.  No, men's tennis is about as interesting as curling these days and I'm sick of it.

The Davis Cup play has just begun and Andy Roddick narrowly escaped a first round loss for the US team by defeating Jurgen Melzer (who?) of Austria in five sets. 

What is going on!?!  This is the best we can do? 

American tennis players have set the standard for tennis since the game emerged from the English country clubs and came to the New World. 

Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Arthur Ashe—these men defined tennis in the 70’s and 80’s—Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, and Jim Courier—these men revolutionized the sport. 

Sampras proved that serves and volleys really were all you needed, and then Agassi proved that maybe they weren't. 

All six of these players are some of the original journeymen of tennis, adding character and charisma to a game that was notoriously buttoned-up.  These six also brought with them a legion of fans. 

And now we've got Andy Roddick. 

Roddick is maybe as good as Todd Martin (if you know who I'm talking about then you watch too much tennis).  James Blake looked hopeful for a while, but his confidence came about five years after his physical peak, which is unfortunate.  

It's not just an American problem, these days Federer is the only player in the headlines.  The Swiss is technically perfect, but I think any one of the Americans I listed above could have beaten him on a good day, not to mention any number of non-American players. 

Federer is all control and shot selection; there is no secret weapon; there is no heart. 

He's an incredibly bright player and can adapt quickly to his opponent.  But I don't care how smart you are, no one could adapt to Pete Sampras when his serve was on or Agassi when it seemed like he had GPS on the ball. 

When Federer holds up the latest trophy, he looks like he's holding a new gravy boat—just another one for the collection. 

Rafael Nadal is interesting, but he's not brilliant.  He's fast and he's got power, but he doesn’t have control and everyone keeps waiting for him to pop—we've been waiting for a few years now. 

Novak Djokovic, the new kid on the block, looks extremely promising.  A tennis star born of the most unlikely heritage, coming out of nowhere in a single season to dethrone the king. 

But this is it.  I have just named the entire depth of men's tennis. 

Where are Stefan Edberg, Goran Ivanisevic, Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg, Patrick Rafter, Tim Henman and on and on?  Tennis used to be worth watching because you never know who might win.  There were always half a dozen players who could come out and play the match of their life and take the title. 

But now it's a story of inevitability.  When are they going to trot out Roger's trophy girls?  

And you know what the kicker is?  They all train in the states.  All of them.  The Russians, the Serbs, maybe the Europeans stay home, but not all (ahem, Roger).  It's not that we don't have the facilities and capabilities.  But where are all the tennis players?  

Women's tennis is still watch-able—Henin, Sharapova, the Williams sisters, there are a number of talented players in the field at any given moment. 

But why are the men so lacking? 

Maybe it's because steroids and bench presses don't win tennis matches.