Monday 8 December 2014 16:01, UK
Tennis great Pete Sampras says he does not see the shortage of top class American men’s players coming to an end soon.
The 14-time grand slam winner used to vie for titles with his fellow American Andre Agassi but John Isner is the top US player in the current world rankings at 19 and Sam Querrey is the next highest down at 35.
And Sampras says he does not believe the decline will be reversed in the near future.
“We haven't had anyone at the top for a long time now," said Sampras. "It will take time to get American tennis back to where it was.
"I don't see anyone and I don't really know anyone that people are talking about to break through even into the top 10.
"The game has become so international, players are playing all around the world.
"The world is getting hungrier and we are just not producing young kids with potential. Hopefully it's just a phase and doesn't last too long."
Looking ahead to 2015, Sampras said he thinks the current world No 1 is favourite to head the rankings once again.
The world is getting hungrier and we are just not producing young kids with potential. Hopefully it's just a phase and doesn't last too long.
“Novak Djokovic is the obvious choice,” he said. “Roger (Federer) is very motivated to get to No 1 and Rafa (Nadal) is uncertain with his health but I feel like, once he's healthy, he'll be in the mix.
"I still see those three guys dominating. I see guys threatening them but, when push comes to shove, I think you'll see those three guys in the second week of majors, in the semi-finals and finals.
"It's going to be an interesting year but I still see Novak, Roger and Rafa being the cream of the crop."
However, Sampras does think the current World No 11 is likely to climb the rankings.
"Grigor (Dimitrov) is someone that I think is ready to make that next step," he said.
"He's showing signs. I think he just needs to learn how to win but he's got the talent."
Two of Sampras’ former rivals Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg now work as coaches for Djokovic and Federer respectively.
But Sampras, who is currently playing for the Indian Aces in the International Premier Tennis League, says coaching or Davis Cup captaincy does not interest him yet.
"Boris and Stefan, they are a little bit older, have kids a little bit older, they are open to travel,” he said.
“I am not into travelling at the moment, at least not more than a couple of weeks a year.
"The captaincy is not something I am really interested in either.
"I am not ruling out captaincy or coaching in the future but, for the time being, for the next couple of years, I'm happy just playing some exhibitions every now and again and staying home.”
