Tennis is said to be growing again after a decade of decline in the number of recreational players. The decline, not so coincidently, began with the retirements of John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Boris Becker, Martina Navratilova, Chrissy Evert, and finally, Steffi Graff. According to the USTA and ITA, they say the number of players is rising at an exponential rate. I'm not so sure.

First, the ratings of the Australian Open coverage were okay, at best. ESPN put just about everything they could into it, and even got a little boost thanks to the Kournikova-Hingis/Hantchukova-Vicario final and that little black Victoria's Secret-like Nike outfit that Danielle decided to wear. But after all of the ratings were in, it was like almost no one watched. I have to admit that even I tuned out while waiting for the Hingis/Seles semifinal, as the four Frenchmen doubles semi dragged on way long and well, I just couldn't stay up that late!

But I think the truth is, in late winter and early spring, no one cares about tennis. And that's all because of America, and our players. As great as the foreign players are, including the Swiss Miss Hingis, baby doll assassin Amanda Coetzer, Anna "Pornikova", and Huntchukova, foreigners don't buy as many products as Americans, and they don't sell TV ad space that great, either.

And the men are worse. The Australian final was pathetic, especially from an advertising and ratings standpoint. If it had been McEnroe, or Borg, or Connors, or even the Aussie greats Rosewall, Laver and Newcombe it would have been a well watched spectacle. But Tommy Haas, Marat Safin, and Thomas Johansson just aren't marquee players. Truth is, with the rare exception of an Aussie or Basque, only American's bring chutzpah to the game. And chutzpah sells tickets, and TV ratings.

Now that Andre is pretty much gone, and Pete is fading, American hopes ride the backs of Andy Roddick and Venus and Serena Williams. And so far, none of them are up to the task. No, it's not about tennis, because they are all great and the Williams are grand slam champs.

It's media friendliness. And none of them have it. The Williams sisters basically don't say anything too controversial, and the only controversy they cause is bad. Add the fact that they don't even play as many tournaments as the others, and you get no excitement. A-Rod may be that way someday, but right now, he's more like watching a boy scout.

That said, I'm not advocating a tennis professional league filled with Illie Nastases, but how about some color? Maybe some great emotion. Maybe some really great lines. And how about coupling them with wins. Now Venus and Serena have won the last three women's tournaments, but can you tell me where and who they beat? How about the men? Who won last week's ATP sanctioned tournament? Did anyone except me actually watch James Blake play in the Davis Cup doubles "live" from Oklahoma City?

Well, the truth is that although the sport is "growing", its viewership is declining. America is where it all comes from, and where the rubber meets the road. The ATP's failed television contract with the European company and the WTA sponsor being in Europe just have added to the problems. So, is it any surprise that tennis just doesn't exist on TV in February?

The Tennis Channel will be coming to a cable outlet near you. Brad Gilbert, Andre Agassi's former coach and former top ten player, will have a show on based on his tennis philosophy of "Winning Ugly". That should be fun. And then we will all be able to catch such "sizzling" tennis like Johansson vs. Arazi, Gambill vs. Davydenko, and Tanasugarn vs. Panova. Or maybe I'll just turn the channel on and watch some more figure skating.

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