The next generation of superstars is here. While the Big Three - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic continue to take the Grand Slam titles, 2019 is considered by many to be a year of transition in tennis.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have continued to dominate men's tennis
Yes, the Big Three have won the last nine Slams and yes, it was a Djokovic vs Nadal final once again in the Australian Open. But there were many positives to be noted for the next gen of players.
The Big Three are not going to stay forever. They are closer to the end than to the beginning of their careers. So it is natural to talk about the future. While the public still holds great affection and respect for these superstars, there is no denying that tennis is in need of some new and fresh blood.
So let's take a look at the top five players who could set the tennis world alight in the coming years.
5. Alex De Minaur, Australia
Age: 20
Rank: 27
The second youngest player ranked inside the top 100 and the highest ranked Australian male player in singles. 'The Demon' overcame Andreas Seppi in a tight two-set final, taking the match 7-5 7-6(5) to record his first career ATP title win in Sydney this year. A third-round humbling to Rafael Nadal at the AO shows that he still has a long way to go and is miles away from the big guns. But one thing we have learned from De Minotaur's performances over the past year is that he is a champion in the making.
4. Denis Shapovalov, Canada
Age: 19
Rank: 25
Shapovalov rose to prominence by reaching a Masters semifinal at the 2017 Canadian Open as an 18-year-old, beating grand slam champions Juan Martín del Potro and Rafael Nadal during his run. And he has not stopped since, becoming the youngest player to crack the top 30 since 2005. He was younger than any of the Big Four (Big Three and Andy Murray) when they made their first second weeks of a major. Like Federer, he has a graceful one-handed backhand with exquisite timing and isn’t afraid to come to the net. Only a matter of time before he starts fighting for the big titles.
3. Kharen Khachanov, Russia
Age: 22
Rank: 11
2018 was a dream year for the Russian as be managed to bag three titles - ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris, Moscow and Marseilles. It was in Paris where he truly announced himself to the tennis world when he beat world number one Novak Djokovic in the final. He has everything in his arsenal - a powerful forehand, an effective backhand and a good baseline game. On his day, he can beat anyone and everyone. Currently ranked at a career high 11, if the end of 2018 is anything to go by, then it a question of not will but when will he break into the top 10.
2. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Age: 20
Rank: 12
He is the youngest player ranked in the top 20 and has a career-high ranking of No. 12 in the world. While many eyes were on Alexander Zverev to make a mark in the AO, Tsitsipas shocked the world when he beat Roger Federer in the fourth round and made it to the semifinals. Powerful serve and a Federer-like backhand, the young Greek has all the necessary skills and equipment to be a future Grand Slam winner. In 2018, he won the season-ending Next Gen Finals but after the 2019 AO, he has shown everyone that he is here to play with the big dogs.
1. Alexander Zverev
Age: 21
Rank: 3
Number one in this list not because he is the highest ranked player but because of what he is capable of. Zverev is the reigning champion at the ATP Finals, making him the youngest winner at the year-end championship in a decade and is the only active player outside of the Big Four with three Masters titles. With already 10 titles to his name, Zverev has all the ingredients to be a future world number one. But winning a Grand Slam is an entirely different ball game as the young German continues to struggle in best-of-five matches. It is only a matter of time before he converts his tour form into Grand Slam form. Regarded by many as a future Grand Slam winner, Zverev may finally be the Next Gen superstar to end the Big Three dominance.
