'If we're both fit enough, why not?' Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal reaffirm Paris Olympic doubles hopes in Madrid

Before the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Americans dominated the sport. However, not since the era of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi in the 1990's and early 2000's has the country had a true champion. While Andy Roddick won the US Open and John Isner is still a consistent Top 20 player (with Jack Sock right behind him), no American has come close to the skill of the aforementioned giants.

Frances Tiafoe is just one of a few American "Next Gen" prospects who is looking to bring the country back into the spotlight. Growing up playing tennis in Maryland at the age of 3, the 18-year-old turned pro in 2015. Since then, he has made a splash on the ATP Challenger Tour, reaching five finals and winning titles in Stockholm and Granby. The success propelled him to No. 100 in October, a career-high ranking.

But, with a lack of age comes a lack of experience and Tiafoe has yet to break through at an ATP event. He finished the year 1-6 in the big leagues, winning his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 match in Indian Wells (over Taylor Fritz).

The world No. 108 is not letting his lack of ATP results affect his goals for the next year, though, and his ATP Challenger success has done nothing but give him momentum.

"In 2017, I would love to crack into the Top 50, I think that would be unbelievable. That would be the right stepping stone for me and the next chapter," he said during an interview with the ATP in the tunnels of Waterloo.

He'll be busy chasing down fellow American teenager Fritz, who's ranked No. 76, and being chased by fellow 18-year-old, No. 116-ranked Stefan Kozlov.

Right now there are six U.S. men ages 20-and-under inside the Top 200 (along with Tiafoe, Fritz and Kozlov, there's Jared Donaldson at No. 105, Ernesto Escobedo at No. 141 and Michael Mmoh at No. 198).

The last time more than six Americans in that age bracket ended the season inside the Top 200 was 1991—with the list including the likes of Sampras, Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang (though those four were ranked inside the Top 15).

Only time will tell if Tiafoe, and any of the upcoming youth alongside him, have what it takes to go as high.

Advertising

Baseline

Tiafoe looking for bigger breakthrough in 2017

'If we're both fit enough, why not?' Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal reaffirm Paris Olympic doubles hopes in Madrid

Mirra Andreeva did, in fact, put Andy Murray's famous complimentary tweet in a frame

New movie Challengers asks: Where does tennis take us?

Shelby Rogers dishes on the viral social media video that went all the way to Will Smith

Destination Tennis: Owl’s Nest Resort

Jaume Munar vs. Jan-Lennard Struff, Mutua Madrid Open

Adrian Mannarino has a clothing sponsor! Lefty to debut with Celio at Mutua Madrid Open

Geared Up: Rafael Nadal plays out his illustrious career with Babolat and Nike

Review: Plenty to be excited about in TopSpin 2K25, which successfully recreates the joy (and frustration) of tennis

Tiafoe looking for bigger breakthrough in 2017