American stars have struggled to win the biggest titles on the ATP Tour over recent years.
Four American players currently reside in the world’s top ten; Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe.
All four players have competed in Major semi-finals, while Taylor Fritz reached the final of the US Open in 2024, losing out to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
The 27-year-old was the first American male to qualify for a Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2009, as the nation currently endures its longest wait for a Major champion on the ATP Tour.
22 years have passed since Roddick lifted his only Major title at Flushing Meadows, beating Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final.
The problems have persisted for decades now, as one American ATP legend shared his thoughts on the issue back in 2011.
Pete Sampras said repeating the success of 1990s American tennis stars was ‘not possible’ 14 years ago
Speaking on ‘ATP World Tour Uncovered’, former world number one Pete Sampras gave his honest opinion on American tennis 14 years ago.
“What happened in the 90s was pretty special and people want to see that every ten years but it’s not possible,” he said.
“The game has gotten so global that you have guys from around the world playing tennis.”
American tennis stars combined for 20 Major titles in the 1990s, as Sampras, Jim Courier, and Andre Agassi dominated the ATP Tour.
Things weren’t quite so good in the 2000s and 2010s, however, as Sampras admitted American players had fallen into a ‘second tier’ back in 2011.
“We’re sort of in that second tier, with Andy [Roddick], [John] Isner, and Sam Querrey,” he said.
“We’re doing ok, we’re not where we want to be, winning Majors, being number one.
“You’re dealing with two of the greats of all time in [Rafael] Nadal and Roger [Federer] so it might take some years.”
The American trio Sampras mentioned won just one Major title between them, although all three qualified for the last four of a Grand Slam.
| Name | Grand Slam titles | Best Grand Slam performance | Career-high ranking |
| Andy Roddick | 1 | W – 2003 US Open | 1 |
| John Isner | 0 | SF – 2018 Wimbledon | 8 |
| Sam Querrey | 0 | SF – 2017 Wimbledon | 11 |
Isner came painfully close to reaching his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 2018, before falling to defeat against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 24-26.
American performances at Grand Slam tournaments over the decades
Sampras said a repeat of the 1990s success was ‘not possible’, but he would likely have hoped for better results than what the stars of American tennis have produced over recent years.
| Decade | American Grand Slam titles | American Grand Slam final appearances |
| 2020s | 0 | 1 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 6 | 14 |
| 1990s | 20 | 36 |
| 1980s | 12 | 21 |
| 1970s | 12 | 26 |
The decline is noticeable, as America has produced just one Major ATP finalist since 2010, a number that would’ve seemed unfathomable in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s.
The likes of Fritz, Paul, and Shelton will no doubt dream of winning the French Open in a few months, bringing an end to the drought of American success at Major tournaments.
Roland Garros hasn’t been kind to Americans recently, however, as Agassi remains the most recent player to reach the quarter-finals of the event, 22 years ago.
Agassi had won the title in Paris four years earlier, having lost two previous finals on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Only time will tell how the American stars of the ATP Tour will perform at this year’s French Open, which kicks off on Sunday, May 25.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
