Grace Min, Lindsay Davenport and the Bryan Brothers Bring Home Wimbledon Honors For The USA

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) and Grace Min (USA), Wimbledon 2011 Girls Doubles Winners

I’m not going to pretend there isn’t legitimate concern over the future (or at least the near future) of American tennis. Both on the WTA and ATP, there is a European takeover of Major winners, with 3 of the last 4 WTA Majors being won by European players, Kim Clijsters twice and Petra Kvitova. The other was won by an Asian player, Li Na. Much of that has to do with Serena Williams’ injury perhaps, although don’t forget she lost to Clijsters in the 2009 U.S. Open so Kim might still have won in 2010 even if Serena were playing. Regardless, Serena won’t play forever and after her, there is nary a Major winning threat in sight. On the ATP it’s even worse for the Americans. The last Major winner was Andy Roddick in 2003. Mardy Fish is a very good player, but I don’t expect an American men’s Major winner in the next year or two unless Roddick has a tournament where he serves out of his mind or Ryan Harrison develops faster than expected.

The Bryan Brothers

The woes I speak of are in singles, which is what most of the public, even a lot of tennis fans, pay attention to. On the men’s doubles side, Americans Mike and Bob Bryan continued their incredible dominance by winning their 11th Major and second Wimbledon together. They are the cream of the crop in doubles and have been since they ascended to the top rated doubles ranking in September 2003.

Also showing signs of a positive future was American junior Grace Min from Lawrenceville, Georgia, who teamed with Eugenie Bouchard of Canada to fight off two match points against and win the Wimbledon Girls Double title. Grace has had a decorated junior career and might be a player to look for in the next few years.

Although more of a seniors event, congratulations must also go to American and former #1 Lindsay Davenport who teamed up with Martina Hingis to defeat Jana Novotna and Martina Navratilova in the Ladies Invitational Singles. Martina Navratilova is also an American citizen, so America was a winner no matter who emerged victorious in this match.

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