American men fighting to prove clay futility is a thing of the past
PARIS — Longer than any other woeful streak in American men's tennis — longer than the period since the last American Grand Slam winner (Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open) or last world No. 1-ranked player (Roddick again, January 2004) — is the time that has passed since a U.S. man has won the French Open: 16 years.
In June of 1999, a resurgent Andre Agassi was crowned champion here at the age of 29. Frances Tiafoe, considered the latest "next great hope" in American men's tennis, was 18 months old then.
"I really like the clay," Tiafoe, 17, said Monday, flashing a toothy smile after making his Grand Slam debut here. "It's pretty fun to play on. Sliding is pretty cool. It was definitely great having my first (major here)."
Are American men warming up to the cool red stuff of Paris?
"I've played some of the best tennis of my career on clay," American No. 1 John Isner told Paste BN Sports in Rome last week. "It's a surface that I like. I look at it as a challenge to come over here and play against Europeans and South Americans on a surface that people think Americans are so deficient on. That's really not the case. I like clay… a lot."
Isner is right. In 2012, he shocked Roger Federer in a Davis Cup rubber on red clay, his only win against the 17-time major champion — and in Switzerland, no less. And in 2011, he nearly beat Rafael Nadal in the first round of the French Open, stretching the "King of Clay" to five sets, one of only two men to do so here.
It's a change of approach for Isner and his cohorts, including Jack Sock, who won his debut ATP singles title in Houston on red clay last month (he beat fellow American Sam Querrey in the final), and Steve Johnson, who Sunday upset No. 26 seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in five sets to move into the second round at Roland Garros.
"After the Agassi and (Michael) Chang era, there was maybe a bit of negativity" towards clay, Johnson told reporters after his victory. "I don't want to say that in a negative way to guys like James (Blake) and Andy … but, I think there was maybe a negative tone to coming here, or being on clay in general."
The French Open draw didn't agree with this newfound affinity from the American men, however: Six of the seven singles players in the main draw drew opponents inside the top 50, including Tim Smyczek's opener against No. 15 seed Kevin Anderson and Sock's challenge vs. Grigor Dimitrov, the No. 10 seed.
"I've always enjoyed (clay)," Sock said in Rome. "Obviously a lot of Americans really love the hard courts and grass, but for me the clay is my favorite. I think my game is really suited for it. For me to cover a lot of balls and make guys play through points, that's what I like the most. The serve and forehand, for me, the clay helps those balls jump up a lot higher, so it suits me. This is my favorite time of year."
As Isner — the American No. 1 going on three years now — has embraced the surface, the rest of the troops have followed suit.
"I think our guys are working hard and doing the right things on the clay," said Jay Berger, head of men's tennis for the USTA. "They're fighting. There's so much resiliency. They're hanging in there on this surface, and that's what we need to do.
"There are some that have always really enjoyed the clay. I think John is one of them. Jack has really enjoyed it, too. Steve, in between Indian Wells and Miami, took a week and practiced on clay. He's getting more comfortable on it. To beat Garcia-Lopez on it, that's a great win."
There are no realistic hopes for a clay major this year for the Americans, even with Isner seeded No. 16. He'd have to work his way through a draw that includes Nadal, Federer, Andy Murray and top seed Novak Djokovic, this year's favorite.
But down the road, for Tiafoe or for Sock?
Peut-être. Perhaps.
"(It's) just one of those things that confidence kind of breeds more confidence," concluded Johnson. "And winning (on clay), just amongst the (Americans), it's always beneficial."
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