Michael Chang, 41 and a father of two daughters, says it’s a little unfair to make comparisons when reviewing the depleted state of American men’s tennis.
Perhaps it is indeed at a new low, but the Hall of Famer said it looks even worse because of the recent era that still remains fresh on fans’ minds.
“I’ll be honest,’’ Chang told The Post before his Champions Doubles match yesterday with Todd Martin. “It’s tough to follow our generation. We had an unbelievable generation of players — for any country. It’s tough shoes to follow, me Andre [Agassi], Pete [Sampras], [Jim] Courier, Todd Martin, MaliVai Washington. It’s tough to follow our generation’s shoes.
“That said, the USTA is making changes,’’ said Chang, who was born in Hoboken, grew up in the West Coast and lives in Orange County, Calif. “But it’s a unique challenge and unfortunately it’s going to take some time.’’
For the first time, no American man got out of the third round of the U.S. Open. For the first time ever, no American man got to a fourth round in any of the four Grand Slams this year. Chang, who is 5-foot-10, scoffs at the idea the USTA has to recruit taller athletes. Chang won with fire and guts and that hasn’t been seen from this generation.
“It wasn’t unusual for me to go into the Open and there’d be 20, 25 guys from America, that was pretty common,’’ Chang said. “Other countries have stepped up their program and players. It makes it difficult for countries that had dominated for so long. This is a bit of a downer for American tennis not to have an American [man] in the fourth round but I know the USTA is working hard.’’
Chang, who won a French Open at 17 as the youngest man to ever win a Grand Slam event, retired at age 31. The Open was his last tournament.
Roger Federer is now 32, his fourth-round exit this week spurring talk the Swiss Maestro’s days as a Grand Slam threat are over.
“It may appear to be,’’ Chang said. “He hasn’t lived up to his standards, but nobody has higher standards than Roger. He needs help by the draw but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got another Grand Slam title in him.’’