The breadth and depth of American players has been one of the defining characteristics of professional tennis since the turn of the millenium. Their playing styles have brough tthem achievements as diverse as their origin stories, and proved that there is no tried and true method to the top.
Danielle Collins, Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul are the perfect example that path to greatness isn’t linear. But despite their unique paths, they all have one thing in common: They’ll forever be able to say that they were among the best of the best. All former Top 10 players, they also couldn’t be more different in how they’ve cultivated success, or tackle challenges on the court.
Collins didn’t have much of a junior tennis career, while Navarro reached three girls’ major finals in 2019; but neither transitioned straight into top-level pros, instead choosing to hone their games in college first. And Paul, a former Roland Garros junior champion, needed nearly 10 years since that crowning moment to find the right formula for staying power in the men’s game.
That’s what inspired Matchup Mindset, a 15-episode series that digs into how players think, prepare, and find their edge. (Stream them all, here, on TennisChannel.com)
In this article, we explore how these U.S. stalwarts all go about their craft differently, but have become critical parts of the red, white and blue tapestry flying proudly on the tour.
