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Wrong!

In fact, without Pete Sampras and the Williams sisters, this U.S. Open might be just what the doctor ordered to create new rivalries and to establish some that have already been created.

On the women's side, tournament organizers are having nightmares of an all-Belgian final on primetime CBS, evidently keeping in mind that most tennis fans in the U.S. do not even know how to pronounce (Justine) "Henin-Hardenne," let alone what she looks like. However, this final might not be so bad in the long run. Perhaps it is time for U.S. tennis fans to realize that women from countries other than USA can also play tennis, and in fact can do it fairly well.

And it is not all about power, either. Henin-Hardenne can show U.S. tennis fans as well as American juniors (who seem to have forgotten the existence of such shot) that the one-handed backhand is not something of the past. Furthermore, Henin-Hardenne might just show how well it works to have one, due to her ability to slice, topspin, and drop-shot her opponents, vary the spin on the ball to throw them off, only to have them still pondering after the disappointing hand shake, how to dismantle such effective weapon.

Kim Clijsters can show people that you can still win by changing the pace, creating opportunities for a short ball, getting to the net, and winning points intelligently instead of a loud grunt and one shot hit hard to the corner thanks to the power of muscles. Jennifer Capriati, now back in form, can display her ferocious tenacity, fighting for every unattainable ball and sustaining her fitness despite long matches.

If you still crave power and physical dominance, you can always watch Lindsay Davenport, too. Amelie Mauresmo, barring injuries, provides another look at a pretty backhand and a solid all-around game. The Russian connection will be in New York looking to break the dominance of a few top names. Too bad that she is no longer on the tour, but Martina Hingis would have been a perfect fit for this draw.

New rivalries? Possibly. Potential for new rivalries? Absolutely. With the Williams sisters, all the above mentioned are sideshows. Without them, they will take centerstage and might be the life potion for certain amount of U.S. tennis fans that seem to have narrower vision these days. So CBS, get over it! It's not all about your ratings. U.S. Open women's tennis is for tennis lovers, too.

The men's side seems ready for new rivalries, as well. The ATP's electrical "New Balls" theme might flash and flourish in New York over the next two weeks. With Sampras gone and Andre Agassi approaching his mid-30s, younger players are taking over the tour. The wide array of styles of game on display is impressive. Obviously, CBS would want an Andy Roddick vs. Agassi final, just don't talk about it to Tim Henman. Remember how the media hyped the Sampras vs. Roddick match last year, only to have anything but a boring, one-sided slapping by Sampras?

If CBS' dreams come true, this time around Roddick seems ready to take the title. After all, he is 20-1 coming into U.S. Open this summer, ranked No. 1 in Champions Race, and virtually unbeatable on U.S. hardcourt territory. But ask anyone how many Grand Slam finals he has been in, and definitely ask not the same person immediately thereafter how many Agassi has lived and triumphed through. Roddick's chances are greater if he makes it to the finals against anybody but "the older and balder guy."

You want another American to emerge? Look for James Blake, who just came off his best performance of the year last week. You want yet another American who can serve-and-volley? Mardy Fish is your man.

But how about these "other guys" that the tennis world watches with admiration, except in the U.S.? For those who claim men's tennis is all about power and one-dimensional winners, this is a great opportunity for you to watch a guy by the name of Roger Federer who can play on all surfaces and who happened to win Wimbledon this summer. Oh yes, he can slice, volley, hit angles, rally with precision before power, and still look like he is casually listening to opera in the process.

You are not interested in all that finesse and talent? You want to see wild swings and baseline accuracy? Juan Carlos Ferrero will give you just that. He will probably drop shot less than he did on his way to Roland Garros title earlier this year, but don't count on this guy to disappear early. You want scrappy play? Look no further than Lleyton Hewitt, who has been the No. 1 player for the last two years, but going through the worst slump of his early career.

Look at all these names mentioned, and we have not even touched on ex-No. 1 players Carlos Moya, Gustavo Kuerten, last year's semifinalist, Sjeng Schalken, once finalist and back on top of his game, Mark Phillippoussis, and this year's top-10 performer, Rainer Schuettler.

What is the problem with these "other guys?" They are not Americans and the name of this tournament happens to be U.S. Open. Therefore, they represent a bigger problem for the U.S. media who will find it hard to write about them because they have ignored them for so long.

They have a choice: they can keep ignoring them and gamble on a Roddick vs. Agassi final, or they can do true tennis fans a favor and hype all these talented stars, educate the public, watch the interest in tennis skyrocket, and consequently never have to worry about ratings -- because these guys are on top of the tennis world to stay along with Roddick.

Rivalries do not have to be just between two players. The three-way rivalry between Bjorn Borg/Jimmy Connors/John McEnroe represented the golden age of tennis. And the Boris Becker/Stefan Edberg/Ivan Lendl/Mats Wilander combination provided plenty of excitement, too. The Roddick/Hewitt/Ferrero/Federer chapter would be welcome and might just be the most diverse one.

Yes, this U.S. Open can be one of the greatest ever, even without three of last year's four finalists. Enjoy the matches!

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