Better of 2024
Fils, Michelsen, Mensik & Shang amongst #NextGenATP stars in 2024
Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tien and Van Assche additionally characteristic
December 10, 2024
Getty Photographs
Arthur Fils gained two titles in 2024.
By Sam Jacot
The world’s finest #NextGenATP stars are set to descend on Jeddah subsequent week once they compete within the seventh version of the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF.
Arthur Fils, Alex Michelsen, Jakub Mensik, Shang Juncheng, Learner Tien, Luca Van Assche, Nishesh Basavareddy and Joao Fonseca will take to courtroom on the 20-and-under occasion, aiming to comply with within the footsteps of former champions Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Forward of the match, ATPTour.com seems to be again at a few of their breakthrough moments as a part of our Better of 2024 collection. On Wednesday, we’ll give attention to first-time winners, with Shang that includes.
Arthur Fils, 20 years outdated
The Frenchman constructed on his breakthrough 2023 season with standout outcomes at ATP 500 occasions in 2024. Fils gained titles in Hamburg and Tokyo, topping the 2024 ATP 500 Bonus Pool.
“I’m very comfortable in regards to the tennis I’m producing,” stated Fils after his triumph in Tokyo. “I’m working loads and attempting to construct my tennis. I feel now it’s higher, from Hamburg to Tokyo. I nonetheless have to enhance nevertheless it’s cool.”
The 20-year-old cracked the High 20 within the PIF ATP Rankings for the primary time in July, whereas he earned High 10 wins towards Hubert Hurkacz, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Can he finish 2024 with a title in Saudi Arabia?
Alex Michelsen, 20 years outdated
The 20-year-old has gone from power to power in 2024 after first gaining consideration in July 2023 when he reached the Newport closing. The American superior to the title match in Newport as soon as once more in 2024 and loved a run to the ultimate Winston-Salem in addition to a semi-final displaying in Metz.
Michelsen is pleased with his improvement in 2024.
“I strive to not put strain on myself this 12 months,” Michelsen informed ATPTour.com earlier this season. “I really feel like even on the courtroom, I am at all times pumping myself up it doesn’t matter what the rating is. Win or lose some extent, I am saying one thing quietly or loudly to myself. I really feel just like the strain hasn’t actually gotten to me.”
Jakub Mensik, 19 years outdated
Possessing a thunderous sport, Mensik reached new heights in 2024.
The Czech made a quick begin to the season when he got here by means of qualifying to achieve the second spherical on the Australian Open. He then reached his first ATP Tour closing in Doha, beating High 10 star Andrey Rublev and former World No. 1 Andy Murray. Quarter-final showings in Shanghai and Vienna meant Mensik ended the season contained in the High 50 within the PIF ATP Rankings, having began the 12 months at No. 167.
Off courtroom, Mensik put his head down and studied onerous to finish his closing exams in Czech language, English and Geography.
“It was tremendous troublesome in that point. I used to be additionally doing closing exams at school, in order that was additionally an enormous a part of my life, as a result of earlier than a Grand Slam I had closing exams, and I had the elbow [injury],” Mensik stated. “I used to be actually, actually, nervous… However I feel that we made a great choice that I stayed centered on college at the moment and skipped Roland Garros.
“After all, it was a troublesome choice, however I’ve to say now that it was an excellent choice. And after that, after all I used to be rather more happier to play on the courtroom, ache free. And clearly, with straight As at school.”
Shang Juncheng, 19 years outdated
Shang made Chinese language historical past in September when he gained his first ATP Tour title in Chengdu. By triumphing on house soil, the 19-year-old grew to become simply the second Chinese language champion in ATP historical past (Wu Yibing, Dallas 2023).
The lefty’s dynamic sport type has prompted opponents loads of issues in 2024, with Shang additionally reaching the semis in Atlanta and Hong Kong.
Shang owes numerous his success to his mother and father, who have been each skilled athletes.
“Once I received into tennis, as athletes they each helped,” Shang informed ATPTour.com at Wimbledon. “My mum performed a person sport, she is aware of how you can compete by herself after which additionally having her group assist her. My dad enjoying a group sport was a little bit bit completely different, however with bodily contact, he is aware of how vital health is and measures to assist forestall harm, so I feel it is actually good for me as a child to start out like that in a household who perceive. I am lucky they’ve taught me so many issues, mainly every thing I do know, and it is simply actually optimistic.”
Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tien, Van Assche Shine
American Basavareddy completed 2024 on hearth. Since September, he gained two ATP Challenger Tour titles and reached an additional three finals at that degree. Impressed by Rajeev Ram, the 19-year-old will head to Jeddah excessive on confidence.
Brazilian Fonseca made his mark on house soil in Rio de Janerio, the place he superior to the quarter-finals on the ATP 500 occasion. The 18-year-old, who additionally reached the quarters in Bucharest, is grateful for the help he has obtained from Brazilian legend Gustavo Kuerten.
“My first interplay with Guga was on the Davis Cup initially of the 12 months,” Fonseca informed ATPTour.com as a part of our Subsequent Gen Influences collection. “He stated some very nice stuff to the entire group. [He shared] his expertise, the way in which he managed his profession after so many accidents. It’s actually inspiring and he’s an idol. He’s a very nice individual and he has stated some very nice stuff.”
Tien lifted three ATP Challenger Tour trophies in 2024, greater than anybody else competing in Jeddah. Van Assche, who performed in Jeddah in 2023, loved a run to the third spherical on the Australian Open in January.
