At Indian Wells, a Shot of Optimism for American Men’s Tennis

It’s no takeover: The highest 10 stays practically all European, with Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada because the lone interloper. However it’s progress, and there seems to be appreciable upside.

“I believe that’s true,” stated Patrick McEnroe, an ESPN analyst, former professional participant and U.S. Davis Cup captain. “I believe significantly from Opelka, Brooksby, Korda and perhaps throw Fritz in there, though I don’t know if he’s acquired the athleticism to get to the top-top.”

McEnroe, like lots of people in tennis, seems to be on the 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, along with his blazing pace and all-action, all-court recreation, and clearly sees a future No. 1 participant.

“I wouldn’t say that in regards to the People,” McEnroe stated. “However I’d say, to me, I might see Brooksby, Korda and Opelka positively hitting the highest 5 in some unspecified time in the future and positively attending to the ultimate 4 or ultimate of a serious. That’s what it’s going to take to get the common fan a bit bit extra curious about it, little question. So, I’m very optimistic, and if in case you have one or two of these guys try this, I believe the opposite guys will really feel much more emboldened.”

For now, the People have a frightening Wednesday forward with Opelka going through Nadal, Brooksby going through the defending event champion Cameron Norrie, Fritz going through the No. 29 seed Alex de Minaur, and Isner going through the No. 33 seed Grigor Dimitrov.

This has been a very long time constructing, and McEnroe had a view close to the bottom flooring as the top of america Tennis Affiliation’s participant improvement program. He was pushed out in late 2014 partly due to poor males’s tour outcomes. When his tenure ended, Isner was the one American man ranked within the prime 50, however whereas in his function, McEnroe heard and noticed loads of Opelka, Paul, Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, a charismatic African American participant from the Washington, D.C., space.

All 4 are projected to be ranked within the prime 40 after this event, with Opelka presently the top-ranked American at No. 17.