It has been 12 years since an American man won a grand slam title, the longest US drought since grand slam tennis began in 1877.
The success of Serena and Venus Williams over the past decade and that of the Bryan brothers in doubles has maintained the sport’s profile in the US, but the longer the country goes without a male singles champion, the more desperate it will be for someone to step up.
For a country so used to success, Andy Roddick’s US Open win of 2003 must seem like a lifetime ago. Roddick is back at Wimbledon this year, as a commentator for the BBC.