Better of 2024
Fils, Michelsen, Mensik & Shang amongst #NextGenATP stars in 2024
Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tien and Van Assche additionally characteristic
December 10, 2024
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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 court docket on the 20-and-under occasion, aiming to observe within the footsteps of former champions Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Forward of the event, ATPTour.com appears again at a few of their breakthrough moments as a part of our Better of 2024 collection. On Wednesday, we are going to concentrate on 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Arthur Fils, 20 years outdated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 joyful concerning the tennis I’m producing,” stated Fils after his triumph in Tokyo. “I’m working so much and attempting to construct my tennis. I feel now it’s higher, from Hamburg to Tokyo. I nonetheless have to enhance but it surely’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 in opposition to 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Alex Michelsen, 20 years outdated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 last. 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 exhibiting in Metz.
Michelsen is pleased with his growth in 2024.
“I attempt to not put strain on myself this yr,” Michelsen instructed ATPTour.com earlier this season. “I really feel like even on the court docket, I am all the time pumping myself up it doesn’t matter what the rating is. Win or lose a degree, 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Jakub Mensik, 19 years outdated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 qualifying to succeed in the second spherical on the Australian Open. He then reached his first ATP Tour last 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 yr at No. 167.
Off court docket, Mensik put his head down and studied exhausting to finish his last exams in Czech language, English and Geography.
“It was tremendous tough in that point. I used to be additionally doing last exams in class, in order that was additionally a giant a part of my life, as a result of earlier than a Grand Slam I had last 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 targeted on college at the moment and skipped Roland Garros.
“After all, it was a tough choice, however I’ve to say now that it was an excellent choice. And after that, after all I used to be way more happier to play on the court docket, ache free. And clearly, with straight As in class.”
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 brought on 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 instructed ATPTour.com at Wimbledon. “My mum performed a person sport, she is aware of how one can compete by herself after which additionally having her workforce assist her. My dad taking part in a workforce sport was slightly bit totally different, however with bodily contact, he is aware of how essential health is and measures to assist forestall harm, so I feel it is actually good for me as a child to begin like that in a household who perceive. I am lucky they’ve taught me so many issues, principally all the things 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 extra three finals at that stage. 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 assist he has acquired from Brazilian legend Gustavo Kuerten.
“My first interplay with Guga was on the Davis Cup firstly of the yr,” Fonseca instructed ATPTour.com as a part of our Subsequent Gen Influences collection. “He stated some very nice stuff to the entire workforce. [He shared] his expertise, the best way he managed his profession after so many accidents. It’s actually inspiring and he’s an idol. He’s a very nice particular person 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.
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