By Erik Gudris | Monday, September 4, 2017
Sam Querrey is used to playing “second fiddle”. But now he’s definitely the headliner in terms of American’s men’s tennis at this year’s US Open.
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Querrey, the likeable and laid back 29-year-old California veteran, has gotten more attention for things off-court than his steady career over the years.
Like when he sat down on a glass table, fell through it, and severely cut his arm that required him to miss a substanial time away from the tour. (He did dress as a shark attack survivor for Halloween though). And then, there was his brief stint on a matchmaking reality TV show that inspired one of the more used GIFs on social media.
But, in 2017, it’s his tennis that’s getting all of the attention.
The 17th seeded Querrey, with a jaw-dropping performance Sunday night that included 55 winners, raced into the US Open quarterfinals with a 62 62 61 win over No. 23 seed Mischa Zverev.
“Felt good out there from the beginning. I felt like even when I was warming up, the ball was coming off clean,” Querrey said about his stellar performance in his first ever appearance on Arthur Ashe Stadium at night. “I felt like I was going to play well before the first point started.”
While his level of play raised many eyebrows, it really shouldn’t considering the season he’s had so far. That includes reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, winning two ATP tournaments this year, and posting wins over Andy Murray, and current World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. Querrey is now a solid contender to reach the year-end ATP finals in London as well.
But with all things Querrey, he is used to by now not being the center of attention. Even in his own country as he now finds himself with a massive opportunity to go deep at his home major.
“Won’t be too many questions,” Querrey joked to only a handful of reporters who attended his post-match press conference after he easily defeated Dudi Sela in straight sets in the second round.
That remark from Querrey was his way of acknowledging that he knew he wouldn’t get much attention early in the first week. That will all change if Querrey can get past his quarterfinal opponent Kevin Anderson to become the first U.S. man to reach the US Open semifinals since Andy Roddick in 2006.
In the post-Roddick era, Querrey has long been the U.S. player who, though credited for his efforts, has taken a back seat to his countrymen. Most notably his friend John Isner who has has been U.S. No. 1 for many years. And then with an ever revolving lineup of players including Jack Sock, Steve Johnson, Ryan Harrison, Taylor Fritz, and Frances Tiafoe who have all grabbed the spotlight at times, for well-deserved reasons, in the last few years.
With Querrey’s win, he will now rise once again to U.S. No. 1. A feat he achieved back in 2013, but as the case then, didn’t get much attention. And, even though it’s a huge accomplishment, rising to that level is not a big focus of Querrey either.
“It’s not that important,” Querrey said to ESPN. “It’s exciting, but I’m more focused on going deep in this tournament or my world ranking.”
Maybe it’s been the lack of attention, or pressure, or expectation from an American fan base desperate for another local to win the US Open, that has helped Querrey. He certainly doesn’t feel any pressure or expectation right now or seems to put any on himself. Even though he is in the bottom section of the draw that is completely wide open for one man to reach the final.
“I kind of still have the same mindset as the first round. Just kind of going one match at a time. Stevie (Johnson) always tells me to keep your head space small. I feel like I'm doing a good job of keeping the big picture kind of a small picture and just focusing on the one match ahead of me.”
Keeping loose and pressure-free is perhaps the key to Querrey’s recent success. Querrey has incorporated yoga into his fitness routine that is in keeping with his laid back approach to the game.
Back in 2010, at the now defunct Los Angeles ATP event, Querrey faced off against Andy Murray in the final. Querrey won that match and the title in a performance that surprised many on hand. While we’ve all been surprised at Querrey’s results this year, maybe we shouldn’t be. Like every tennis player, each is on their own journey and the results come when the time is right.
For "Samurai Sam" Querrey, that time is now.