Where have all the Americans gone?

For the first time since 1988, no US competitor made it to the final of either singles event. More worryingly, also for the first time since 1988, no American has won any of the four Grand Slams.

So where have Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, the Williams sisters, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati been?

Of those six, only Roddick, who went out in the quarter-finals here, could definitely be said to be at the top of his game.

The world number two reached the final at Wimbledon and has won four other titles in 2004. But with time running out for Agassi, Roddick looks to be furrowing a lone path in the men’s game.

Agassi continues to defy his 34 years. His quarter-final match with eventual champion Roger Federer contained probably the highest quality tennis of the entire fortnight.

But the eight-times Grand Slam winner can only keep going at the top for so long.

Davenport and Capriati are both 28 and are unlikely to be around for too much longer. Serena Williams and sister Venus have not won a Grand Slam in 14 months. Both have question marks surrounding their motivation after injuries and also the tragic death of their elder sister Yetunde last year.

Though Agassi and Roddick reached the quarter-finals, the underlying fact is that they were the only two American men to even get as far as the third round. And although Davenport and Capriati made it to the semis, only four US women reached the last 16.

What happened to the young Americans?

The talented James Blake missed the event though injury while Mardy Fish and Taylor Dent went out in round two. The situation is so bad that Vince Spadea, at the age of 30, is often talked about in terms of the future.

In the juniors, Jessica Kirkland reached the girls’ final but she was the only American to reach the last 16, while only three US competitors made the last 16 in the boys’ singles.

Unites States Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe believes Fish has the ability to step up and join Roddick near the top.

“I believe in Mardy,” McEnroe told reporters during the event. “I legitimately think he’s a top 10 player.”

Despite the lack of depth in US tennis, Agassi believes the sport is safe in the hands of players like Roddick. “It’s about having the desire to look at the sport through the lens of many different needs,” he said. “Andy’s been great at that. He came in with a lot on his shoulders but I feel he always gives a lot back. He always leaves his heart out there on the court, which is where it needs to start.” (Reuters)