This year’s Australian Open saw a significant uptick in the number of Americans in singles, but Rohan Bopanna feels it’s still the Europeans that hold sway in world tennis.
There were 15 men and 19 women entered at the season’s first Grand Slam. Crucially, players in their 20s make up a big chunk in both the categories.
But that’s about the only similarity.
While the US is closely followed by Spain (12), Australia, France and Italy (10 each) in the men’s draw, the gap is a bit wider in the women’s with France, Australia and Russia (8 each) lagging way behind.
The American women’s excellence Down Under over the last 10 years is reflected in the three titles — 2015 & 2017 (Serena Williams) and 2020 (Sofia Kenin) — and as many runner-up finishes — 2016 (Serena), 2017 (Venus Williams) and 2021 (Jennifer Brady).
Bopanna said that while the US had the numbers in its favour, Europe scored in almost all other departments.
“Yes, there is a lot of players from USA competing at the Grand Slams but I would not call it a strong power as tennis has become more global. European players are still dominating and will stay that way for a long time I feel,” the 41-year-old Bangalorean said.
“Also, a lot of European players are more versatile and getting better in all surfaces. That already puts them ahead of players from the USA as majority of them still are uncomfortable playing on the clay courts.”
The US has a rich legacy and long history of the game. Besides hosting a number of top level tournaments, including the US Open Grand Slam, it also has a strong college sport structure.
Bopanna said all those were factors that was being made use of by not only the Americans themselves but also players from around the world.
“Yes, US has a great system of college tennis but this also is a good place for any player across the world to get into the college system and get a strong base from it,” he said.
“Of course, having a Grand Slam in the country helps tremendously when a player is from there, given the sheer number of tournaments being conducted from junior age all the way up to a professional academy.
“Also, the USTA National Campus has 100 tennis courts which surely helps tennis players in a big way.
“The base for tennis players now has been more in Europe with top players being based in Monte Carlo, Bahamas or the Dubai.
“So, I still feel Europe will still be dominating for a while. I don’t see the baton changing anytime soon.
“Also on a side note, tennis in Canada is really good at the moment and is definitely a country where more players are gonna be coming out of.”
MEN AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Leading nations by entries
(age-wise breakup in bracket)
USA — 15 (12 in 20s, 3 in 30s)
Spain — 12 (1 teen, 5 in 20s, 5 in 30s, 1 in 40s)
Australia — US (9 in 20s, 1 in 30s)
France — 10 (6 in 20s, 4 in 30s)
Italy — 10 (1 teen, 6 in 20s, 3 in 30s)
Americans at AO in the last 10 years
2012: 10
2013: 8
2014: 12
2015: 7
2016: 14
2017: 14
2018: 13
2019: 16
2020: 12
2021: 10
WOMEN AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Leading nations by entries
(age-wise breakup in bracket)
Russia — 19 (1 in teens, 16 in 20s, 2 in 30s)
France — 8 (1 in teens, 6 in 20s, 2 in 30s)
Australia — 8 (7 in 20s, 1 in 30s)
Russia — 8 (6 in 20s, 2 in 30s)
Czech Rep. — 6 (5 in 20s, 1 in 30s)
Romania — 6 (3 in 20s, 3 in 30s)
American women at AOpen in the last 10 years
2021: 16
2020: 22
2019: 15
2018: 18
2017: 18
2016: 17
2015: 17
2014: 13
2013: 13
2012: 11
There were 15 men and 19 women entered at the season’s first Grand Slam. Crucially, players in their 20s make up a big chunk in both the categories.
But that’s about the only similarity.
While the US is closely followed by Spain (12), Australia, France and Italy (10 each) in the men’s draw, the gap is a bit wider in the women’s with France, Australia and Russia (8 each) lagging way behind.
The American women’s excellence Down Under over the last 10 years is reflected in the three titles — 2015 & 2017 (Serena Williams) and 2020 (Sofia Kenin) — and as many runner-up finishes — 2016 (Serena), 2017 (Venus Williams) and 2021 (Jennifer Brady).
Bopanna said that while the US had the numbers in its favour, Europe scored in almost all other departments.
“Yes, there is a lot of players from USA competing at the Grand Slams but I would not call it a strong power as tennis has become more global. European players are still dominating and will stay that way for a long time I feel,” the 41-year-old Bangalorean said.
“Also, a lot of European players are more versatile and getting better in all surfaces. That already puts them ahead of players from the USA as majority of them still are uncomfortable playing on the clay courts.”
The US has a rich legacy and long history of the game. Besides hosting a number of top level tournaments, including the US Open Grand Slam, it also has a strong college sport structure.
Bopanna said all those were factors that was being made use of by not only the Americans themselves but also players from around the world.
“Yes, US has a great system of college tennis but this also is a good place for any player across the world to get into the college system and get a strong base from it,” he said.
“Of course, having a Grand Slam in the country helps tremendously when a player is from there, given the sheer number of tournaments being conducted from junior age all the way up to a professional academy.
“Also, the USTA National Campus has 100 tennis courts which surely helps tennis players in a big way.
“The base for tennis players now has been more in Europe with top players being based in Monte Carlo, Bahamas or the Dubai.
“So, I still feel Europe will still be dominating for a while. I don’t see the baton changing anytime soon.
“Also on a side note, tennis in Canada is really good at the moment and is definitely a country where more players are gonna be coming out of.”
MEN AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Leading nations by entries
(age-wise breakup in bracket)
USA — 15 (12 in 20s, 3 in 30s)
Spain — 12 (1 teen, 5 in 20s, 5 in 30s, 1 in 40s)
Australia — US (9 in 20s, 1 in 30s)
France — 10 (6 in 20s, 4 in 30s)
Italy — 10 (1 teen, 6 in 20s, 3 in 30s)
Americans at AO in the last 10 years
2012: 10
2013: 8
2014: 12
2015: 7
2016: 14
2017: 14
2018: 13
2019: 16
2020: 12
2021: 10
WOMEN AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Leading nations by entries
(age-wise breakup in bracket)
Russia — 19 (1 in teens, 16 in 20s, 2 in 30s)
France — 8 (1 in teens, 6 in 20s, 2 in 30s)
Australia — 8 (7 in 20s, 1 in 30s)
Russia — 8 (6 in 20s, 2 in 30s)
Czech Rep. — 6 (5 in 20s, 1 in 30s)
Romania — 6 (3 in 20s, 3 in 30s)
American women at AOpen in the last 10 years
2021: 16
2020: 22
2019: 15
2018: 18
2017: 18
2016: 17
2015: 17
2014: 13
2013: 13
2012: 11