Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic & Andy Murray are mainly to blame for US men not winning a Grand Slam in 2 decades: Michael Chang
Former French Open champion Michael Chang recently talked about how the quintet of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka prevented the older American generation from winning a Grand Slam title. The American also showered rich praise on the 20-time Major winner for his incredible consistency over his long career.
Chang competed on the ATP Tour from 1988 to 2003, with the biggest highlight of his career being his 1989 French Open triumph against all odds. Since retirement, the American has worked primarily as a coach. He began a successful partnership with former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori in 2014, guiding the latter to his maiden Major final at the 2014 US Open.
Chang recently spoke to the ATP Tour about American male tennis pros' past prospects at the Grand Slam tournaments, insisting that their inability to win titles was directly related to Roger Federer & his top rivals' prowess.
"I think there are four explanations. Explanation one is (Roger) Federer, explanation two is (Novak) Djokovic, number three is (Rafael) Nadal and another one is (Andy) Murray. Mix in (Stan) Wawrinka as well," Michael Chang told the ATP while discussing why there have been no male American Major winners since 2003.
He also praised the aforementioned players' impact on tennis in the last two decades, before sparing a word for the Swiss maestro.
"If you think about it from the history of tennis, what those guys have done, it's been absolutely mindboggling, it's been incredible," he added. "We always pay attention to the Grand Slams which they won, but go back and see how many semi-finals or better Roger did in consecutive seasons. It's crazy how good these guys are."
Roger Federer led Michael Chang by 4-1 in their head-to-head meetings
Roger Federer and Michael Chang's respective best years didn't clash with each other during their careers due to the nine-year age gap between them. That said, they did face off five times on the ATP Tour in 2000-02.
The Swiss maestro first got the better of the more experienced Chang in straight sets in the first round of the 2000 Australian Open to notch his maiden Major victory. The American, however, reversed the script on him at the Halle Open a few months later.
Federer then came to his own in 2001 — the year he upset Pete Sampras to record his first-ever Major quarterfinals appearance. He defeated the 1989 French Open champion in their last three matches at the 2001 Monte-Carlo Masters, the 2002 Australian Open, and the 2002 US Open without dropping a single set, thereby taking a 4-1 lead in their head-to-head meetings on the pro tour.