American males haven’t gained a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open title, so the query throughout each main event is whether or not or not somebody can finish the drought. Taylor Fritz, the best ranked American, was eradicated within the third spherical, however there’s nonetheless loads of expertise to maintain issues attention-grabbing.
“I feel, unfairly possibly, the dialog has develop into a go/fail subject round whether or not we gained a slam or not,” Roddick advised CBS Sports activities. “However that should not get in the way in which of acknowledging the advance of those guys.”
Learner Tien, a 19 yr outdated who made the principle draw by going via qualifiers, shook issues up when he upset world No. 5 Daniil Medvedev within the second spherical.
“I used to be actually impressed with Learner, I feel particularly for 19 to beat somebody like Medvedev when you’re not an enormous server,” Roddick mentioned. “I assumed his means to drawback remedy, I feel mentally having a match level after which two hours later lastly closing out is an enormous win.
“Plenty of occasions, Australia marks the shift of the brand new gamers getting a full season then an offseason to coach and actually work on the stuff that they should so that you see a whole lot of breakout stars in Australia yearly and this yr is actually no exception.”
Tien went on to maintain enterprise in opposition to Corentin Moutet and have become the youngest American to succeed in the fourth spherical at Australian Open since Pete Sampras in 1990. Earlier than this event, he was 0-3 in Grand Slam matches.
Alex Michelsen, 20, is one other younger U.S. participant who’s making some noise in Melbourne. He upset world No. 11 and 2023 Open runner-up Stefanos Tsistipas within the first spherical, then pulled off one other sturdy win within the third in straight-sets in opposition to No. 19 Karen Khachanov.
Tien and Michelsen may doubtlessly meet within the semifinals if they will every seize two extra wins. Nonetheless, Michelsen must get via Australian native and world No. 8 Alex de Minaur within the fourth spherical, after which both No. 13 Holger Rune or No. 1 Jannik Sinner within the quarterfinals.
Tien will meet with Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, after which doubtlessly Gael Monfils — who knocked out Fritz — or fellow American Ben Shelton. Shelton and Tommy Paul are the 2 seeded People remaining at No. 21 and 12, respectively.
“Tommy Paul, it looks as if he performs effectively just about each week now,” Roddick mentioned. “It is form of turning into a mannequin for consistency. Clearly with Learner and Alex Michelsen there’s some new blood there as effectively. Ben Shelton continues to be within the combine. It is thrilling.”
Roddick’s upcoming match
Roddick retired from singles in 2012 and was inducted into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame in 2017. Apart from his 2003 US Open win, he reached 4 different main finals, three at Wimbledon (2004, 2005, and 2009) and one other on the US Open in 2006.
Whereas he isn’t competing in tennis anymore, he does have a pickleball occasion arising. Roddick shall be collaborating in Pickleball Slam 3 in Las Vegas on Feb. 15 alongside Eugenie Bouchard.
“Once I get requested to check Wimbledon to the pickleball tour, the dialog begins going somewhat sideways,” he laughed. “However I get pleasure from it. Tennis is my past love, it at all times shall be, however I feel there’s loads of room within the sandbox.”
Bouchard went from skilled tennis participant to skilled pickleball participant, however she and Roddick will nonetheless have their work cutout for them. They are going to be taking up eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf — the one tennis participant, male or feminine, to have gained every main singles event a minimum of 4 occasions.
“Andre has develop into a loopy particular person with it,” mentioned Roddick, who was partnered up with Agassi final yr. “I do know he has been enjoying 4, 5 occasions per week, which is somewhat intimidating. We’ll see the place I shake out on this complete factor.”
