A message for Australian tennis fans - an Australian will not win a singles title at your tennis open this month. This is not an unusual phenomenon, French players rarely win the French Open and Brits never win Wimbledon.

But given Australia’s rich history producing world-class tennis players (Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Pat Cash and Pat Rafter to name but a few), it will baffle some to think that the country does not have one serious contender for their own tournament. Lleyton Hewitt, the world number 20, promised great things in winning two grand slams, but has fallen out of contention in recent years. Some will argue that his Wimbledon and US Open titles were won post-Sampras and pre-Federer.

The state of Australian tennis is indicative of a growing trend in the country; there seems to be more interest and success in team sports. Apart from tennis players, the great individuals like Greg Norman and Kathy Freeman seem to be a thing of the past. Despite Geoff Ogilvy’s US Open win, golf in the country is in decline, while there is a distinct dearth of track and field athletes.

Team sports are a different kettle of koalas. Until recently, the Aussies boasted the best men’s doubles tennis partnership in Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde. The men boast the best cricket and rugby league teams in the world, a top rugby union side and a vastly improved soccer team. The women continue to dominate in netball, field hockey and even synchronised diving.

In comparison, the United States seem be the complete opposite; great individuals, poor team players. In sports that they should dominate, like basketball, ice hockey and baseball, they come up short in major events. The soccer team performed poorly in the World Cup and the Ryder Cup side being thrashed by the Europeans is becoming the norm. The likes of Tiger Woods, Lindsay Davenport and the plethora of athletes available show a liking for individual competition.

How could two countries with such a great sporting tradition be so far apart in terms of their competitive ethos? Perhaps it is down to education. Speaking to Australians, they say that ‘team spirit’ is encouraged over individualism in sports. This seems to be true; despite the great talent in the cricket team there are very few egos and they are a genuine ‘team’.

Americans have told me that they are encouraged to be the best ‘they’ can be at school, the emphasis on personal success. The failure of the US to a turn a team of superstars in golf or rugby into world beaters seems to reflect this.

Perhaps strength of nationalism is important. The United States is a vastly populous country, while Australia is tiny in comparison. With all of those states, cities and colleges, American competitors must find it difficult to create a team spirit. Nationalism in Australia is rife; a trip to any Walkabout pub will confirm this. And nationalism is strongest when competing as part of team.

There may be an ‘i’ in Australia, but there is no ‘i’ in their sports teams.

What do you think about the trend with Australia and American sports? Do you see things changing? Let sportingo.com have your comments.