They’re always in someone else’s shadow. First it
was their elders. Then it was their lady counterparts. And, now,
it’s one of their own.
But, this week, the group of rising American tennis stars will
have the chance to take center stage at the Mercedes-Benz Cup.
Taylor Dent, Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri all come from different
backgrounds, but they’ve been thrown into the same class.
As Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Jim Courier and a host of others
faded from the top of the rankings, America began searching for a
new crop of players to fill the void. There was no obvious place to
look, so Americans latched onto the youngest, freshest faces they
could find, hoping the budding talent would mature.
Before even being able to legally purchase alcohol, Dent, Fish
and Ginepri became part of a group of young Americans that was
billed as the next big thing in tennis. Even though not one of
these players has yet turned 24, the label has become
commonplace.
“I’ve had lots of pressure since I was in
juniors,” Dent said. “I just block it out
now.”
Since all the hype began, other’s successes have helped
alleviate some of the burden on this group. Sampras’
triumphant finale at the 2002 U.S. Open, where he knocked off Andre
Agassi in the finals, kept the focus on the older generation for
yet another go-around. The breakout of the Williams sisters shifted
the spotlight to a certain extent to women’s tennis. And most
recently, the emergence of Andy Roddick to the top of the rankings
has signaled that the future of American tennis on the men’s
side is in good hands.
The fellow young Americans acknowledge the praise Roddick has
received and his poster-boy status.
“He’s won a grand slam and was No. 1 in the
world,” said Fish, the highest ranked out of the three highly
touted young Americans in this year’s tournament.
“He’s got the credentials and deserves everything he
gets.”
But with Roddick not playing in this week’s tournament,
it’s as good an opportunity as any for Fish, Dent, or Ginepri
to step into the spotlight. Still, it will be far from easy with
Agassi entering as the top seed and the fan favorite. He is a
reminder of the success American tennis enthusiasts grew to expect
from their stars over the past decade and a half. The unprecedented
level of success may never be matched again.
“There will never be an era like Agassi and Sampras
again,” tournament director Bob Kramer said.
Nonetheless, the achievements of the Americans, who dominated
tournaments throughout the 1990s, have not made the current batch
of players feel pressured to match their predecessors.
“I don’t think it can ever be duplicated,”
Fish said. “We try the best we can and with the talent we
have, we should be OK. We won’t win 23 grand slams, but
we’ll win our share of tournaments.”
One distinguishing feature that made the older generation so
compelling was their on-court rivalries. “Sampras v.
Agassi” became a recurring headline throughout Grand Slam
tournaments and their matches attracted hoards of spectators and
interest in the sport. Although a competitive rivalry is emerging
between Roddick and Switzerland’s Roger Federer as the
sport’s top player, the other young Americans have done
little to challenge Roddick’s status as the country’s
top player.
Dent has faced Roddick twice this year already on the biggest of
stages, but the outcomes of his 3rd round meetings at the
Australian Open and Wimbledon were both straight set losses. Those
results have been reflective of their careers. Dent turned pro two
years before Roddick with the same lofty expectations, yet only
Roddick has met them thus far.
“When I turned pro, I thought I would win everything in
sight,” Dent said.
His early struggles along with Roddick’s ascension to the
top have been a sobering reminder for Dent.
“There’s been a lot of learning. I have to get
better. To be the best, you have to beat the best.”
For now, Dent, Fish, and Ginepri are all in the same boat. With
each on the fringe of a major breakthrough , and still well before
their prime, fans are tracking their progress and results
collectively.  Â
“People are going to do that just because we’re
American,” Dent said. “The only thing that separates us
is how we do on the court. That’s where I’d like to
distinguish myself.”
This week presents yet another chance. And with all three among
the top 32 players in the draw, there is a better chance to do it
directly and creep out of the shadows.Â