RYAN RUSSELL, Jamaica's greatest Davis Cup performer, is at a career crossroads.
Despite a handsome record of 25 wins in 37 Cup ties (both singles and doubles), at 22 years of age, it's now time for the Montegonian left-hander to assert himself on the world stage.
His current ranking is in the 700s after reaching a peak of the 500s and that's just not going to make the grade when, year after year, the world talent crop gets younger and better.
Sure, there have been late bloomers in the game like Australia's Patrick Rafter but he carried a rare serve-and-volley game into the pro ranks while Russell can produce no greater weapons than his indomitable scrambling and heart.
On the high world stage, he's comparable to another Australian, Lleyton Hewitt, but for all the fight in that Aussie dog, he does not have the tools to dismantle the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin on a consistent basis.
MAJOR STEPS
In the world of tennis, Russell is about three major steps away from even being mentioned in that lofty company top 300, top 100, top 50. Each step is almost quantum by design and it's not just talent alone that gets you up to those heights.
You need to have a support staff in place to provide the monetary and emotional support to compete properly at that level.
A cadre of local and foreign friends and fans, led by father Richard, is willing to provide some monetary support but it's up to Ryan now. Climbing to the top of any craft requires unreasonable talent and mental strength. It hurts and may just be all in vain, but you only get one shot at the end of the day.
The ball is squarely in Ryan's court now.
-Tym Glaser
