Former U.S. Open finalist Todd Martin says that developing players at a young age is the key to the United States’ resurgence as a tennis power. "Within a country this large it’s awfully difficult to effect enough people early on to have the game taught well enough so when kids get older and start competing professionally they are ready to go," Martin told Forbes. "We need to teach at beginning and intermediate level very well and I think best chance in any sport to become successful at the highest level is the passion and love for game has to be deep in your core."
Martin, who once headed the ATP Players Council, added, "What I’m really concerned about Amercian tennis is the success of our ATP tournaments. The major events in Indian Wells, Key Biscayne and Cincinnati do very well, but there are a lot of other tournaments that if we want to grow the pie locally and nationally, they have to really succeed."