Alexander Zverev had another early exit and Jan-Lennard Struff was the last man standing in the last 16 as the US Open highlighted again that German tennis faces an uphill battle.

That also showed in the numbers of German players in the New York main draws: a mere three men and women.

That constitutes the lowest number of Germans at a grand slam since 1983, before Steffi Graf and Boris Becker emerged on the scene.

It is far away from the 28 players, 14 men and 14 women, that played at Wimbledon in 1995.

Even the US Open in 2016, when Angelique Kerber won the last singles title for the country at Flushing Meadows, still featured 18 Germans.

Zverev has often made it forgotten that German tennis is struggling as he has reached three finals at the majors, won Olympic gold, two ATP Finals, and rose to number two in the world rankings.

Zverev admitted to mental problems after a Wimbledon first round exit and had not quite rediscovered his form in New York where he went out in the third round.

Struff was happy with a place in the last 16 where he went out against Novak Djokovic, but is already 35. of the other Germans at this edition, former Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria is 38 and Laura Siegemund 37.

And the top doubles players Tim Pütz and Kevin Krawietz are 37 and 33, respectively.

“I don’t have much time left but I feel good and want to continue a little longer,” Struff said.

Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann is aware of the difficult situation, saying that “we cannot sugarcoat anything” and “changing it unfortunately does not happen overnight.”

Looking at the missing depth, Kohlmann said that tennis is an expensive sport and added that you don’t become successful by insisting on a work-life balance.

Maria wants to continue until she can play doubles with her daughter Charlotte, who is 11. But she will be playing for France, the home country of her father, Charles-Edouard Maria.

Maria said there had been talks with German tennis authorities but the support for a young player like her daughter is better in France, and in the United States, where they live, as well.

She said that hosting grand slam tournaments gives both countries “much more money, many more options.

“I think everyone must find their own path in tennis. Life has ups and downs, some just don’t make it on the court,” Maria added.

Ella Seidel, 20, is a hope on the women’s side, while on the men’s side Niels McDonald (17) und Max Schönhaus (18) contested the French Open junior final two months ago. Roland Garros winner McDonald however went out in the first round of the US Open junior event.

Former top 10 player Andrea Petkovic is a mentor for the juniors but Siegemund criticised that there is little contact set up between active players and rising talents.

Wimbledon quarter-finalist Siegemund said she was ready to train with youngsters and share her experience with them.

“But no use has been made of this offer. I also see that a gap is developing,” Siegemund

• dpa