American Tennis Players, By The New Rankings

The ATP released its new rankings today, with Novak Djokovic topping the list for the first time.  The state of American tennis is definitely in a bit of a downswing at present time.

Here's a look at where Americans rank in the tennis world:

• (9) - Mardy Fish - This is the highest ranking ever for the 29 year old, who just a year ago was ranked at 79.  His best showings in the past year were at the World Tour Masters 1000 in Miami where he reached the semi-finals before losing to Djokovic, and at this year's Wimbledon where he was defeated by Nadal in the quarter-finals. He has five career titles.
• (10) - Andy Roddick - The only current American tennis player with a Grand Slam victory (2003 US Open).  Won this year's ATP World Tour 500 Memphis tournament. Currently 28 years old, he has 30 career titles.
• (46) - John Isner - Known most for epic victory over Nicholas Mahut in the 2010 Wimbledon tournament. At 26, has one career title at 2010 ATP World Tour 250 in Auckland.  Known more for his accomplishments as a college player for the University of Georgia (career leader in wins as singles and doubles player) than international career.
• (48) Sam Querrey - Has won six career titles, with four coming in 2010.  The highlight of that year for the 23 year-old was winning the Queen's Club Tournament where he defeated Mardy Fish.  
• (65) Ryan Sweeting - At 23, and having his best year professionally, won his first title at the US Clay Court Championships in Houston earlier in 2011.  
• (66) Alex Bogomolov, Jr. - Born in Russia, his father was a former Soviet National Team tennis coach. At 28 years-old, this is his highest ranking to date.  He has yet to win any titles, but did make it to the third round at Wimbledon this year.
• (88) James Blake - The 31 year-old has won 10 titles in his career, but none since 2007.  Most notable achievement was in simply coming back to play professional tennis after breaking his neck in a freak tennis accident.
• (98) Michael Russell - At 33, has yet to win or play in a tournament final. 
• (99) Robert Kendrick - 31 years-old and also hasn't played in a single tournament final before

The casual American tennis fan won't have heard of the vast majority of the American players ranked in the top 100 on the ATP tour.  With the average age of our top 100-ranked American tennis players being 28 years-old, lets try and find some younger American talent in the rankings:

• (101) Ryan Harrison - This is the highest ranking ever for the 19 year old. Took seventh-seeded David Ferrer to five sets before finally losing in this year's Wimbledon. Won the 2008 US Clay Court Championships. A year ago was ranked at 262.
• (113) Donald Young - A former #1-ranked junior player who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior titles, Young has struggled on the Senior circuit since turning pro in 2004. At one point, the 21 year-old was considered the next big hope for American tennis, but has yet to appear in a tournament final.

There you have it: the state of American tennis.  It looks like our best hopes in the next five years are with Ryan Sweeting and Ryan Harrison, unless Donald Young can finally fulfill his potential.