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Teenage takeover: Most teens in U.S. Open men's draw since 1990

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 28:  Frances Tiafoe returns a backhand to Sam Groth of Australia during the BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station on July 28, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 28: Frances Tiafoe returns a backhand to Sam Groth of Australia during the BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station on July 28, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NEW YORK – When Frances Tiafoe takes the court on Tuesday afternoon, he will be the 10th teenager to play in the men's main draw of the U.S. Open. He's also the youngest, and the most hyped: at 17, he's being heralded as the next great American male tennis player.

It's not a reputation he really wants.

"The hype doesn't help. It's really unfair. He can become a good player, but at this point, he's not," mentor Jose Higueras told Vice Sports in July.

High expectations have been heaped upon many young players since Andy Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open at just 21. It always happens when a country, especially this one, hits a talent drought. There has not been an American champion since Roddick. And no matter how international the crowd at the U.S. Open, it's no secret that the fans want to see an American hoist the trophy again.

It's led to undue praise of John Isner, Donald Young, Sam Querrey, Ryan Harrison and a trove of other Americans whose careers have not lived up to their star billings. These are good players, but none ever really had a shot at breaking into the top echelon. Maybe they would have if they'd had time to develop before all eyes turned their way.

Tiafoe might be different. So might the other American teens playing in the main draw: Tommy Paul (18) and Jared Donaldson (18). But if fans really want one of them to be the next star, perhaps it would be better to hype them as the next great group of players.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06:  Tommy Paul of the United States plays a backhand in his Boy's Singles First Round match against Benjamin Hannestad of Denmark during day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2015 in London, England.  (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06: Tommy Paul of the United States plays a backhand in his Boy's Singles First Round match against Benjamin Hannestad of Denmark during day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

The last time this many teens played in the U.S. Open main draw was when 12 played in 1990 – which was also the year Pete Sampras claimed his first title, as a 19-year-old. Sampras faced 20-year-old Andre Agassi in the final. They shared the hype throughout their careers. They were also the last great American tennis players. Coincidence? Maybe, but probably not.

Fans in New York love to see the Cinderella story. If there is to be one this year, it won't come from Tommy Paul. He fell in day one. Donaldson takes the court Tuesday afternoon, followed by Tiafoe. It would be exciting to see them make a run, but what fans should really be rooting for is a chance for Tiafoe, Paul and Donaldson continue playing each other, continue playing the rest of the 10 promising teens in this year’s draw, until they collectively build themselves up to the level of Sampras and Agassi before them. Shared hype did those two well.

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Danielle Elliot is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.