American tennis is alive and well at 2017 US Open

After years of turmoil and disarray, American tennis has made a triumphant return to form at the 2017 US Open. Find out how well represented the USA is.

The 2017 US Open has offered an abundance of reasons for intrigue and optimism for fans of American tennis players. After years of obscurity and disappointment, Americans on both sides of the draw have achieved a significant measure of success.

A true return to form will require a non-Serena title, but the American tennis scene appears to be alive and well at the 2017 US Open.

Beyond the brilliance of Serena Williams, Americans have been rather underwhelming at Grand Slam events. No American male has won a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick in 2003, and no American male has reached a Grand Slam final since Roddick in 2009.

In 2017, however, Sam Querrey has made invaluable progress by reaching the semifinal at Wimbledon and the quarterfinal at the US Open.

No American woman other than Serena Williams has won a Grand Slam since 2008, when Venus Williams took home the Wimbledon crown. No American woman other than the Williams sisters have made a Grand Slam final since Lindsay Davenport in 2005.

At the 2017 US Open, two American women have advanced to the quarterfinals: Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams.

Querrey’s semifinal appearance at Wimbledon was the first by an American male at a Grand Slam tournament since 2009. With his US Open run, he’s become the first American male to reach the quarterfinals at multiple Grand Slam events in a calendar year since Roddick in 2009.

On the women’s draw, Stephens has now reached the quarterfinals at three of the four Grand Slam events. Venus Williams has made the quarterfinals at three of the Grand Slam events in 2017 alone.

Progress exists on both sides.

Serena Williams has been a beacon of hope for American tennis, but thus far, no one has been able to take the baton and run with it. Fans rationally take pride in the most dominant player in Grand Slam history, but the depth of the American tennis scene has been barren, at best.

The 2017 US Open may not spark an immediate resurgence, but the United States of America being well represented in the quarterfinals sends a great message to the next generation.

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The US Open is firmly establishing that the future is bright for American tennis.