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 after 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 to be like 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 oldThe 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 concerning the tennis I’m producing,” mentioned Fils after his triumph in Tokyo. “I’m working loads and making an attempt to construct my tennis. I believe 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 in opposition to Hubert Hurkacz, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Can he finish 2024 with a title in Saudi Arabia?
Alex Michelsen, 20 years oldThe 20-year-old has gone from energy to energy in 2024 after first gaining consideration in July 2023 when he reached the Newport remaining. 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 happy with his growth in 2024.
“I strive to not put stress on myself this 12 months,” Michelsen advised ATPTour.com earlier this season. “I really feel like even on the court docket, I am at all times 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 stress hasn’t actually gotten to me.”
Journey To Jeddah Hub
Jakub Mensik, 19 years oldPossessing a thunderous recreation, Mensik reached new heights in 2024.
The Czech made a quick begin to the season when he got here by means of qualifying to succeed in the second spherical on the Australian Open. He then reached his first ATP Tour remaining 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 court docket, Mensik put his head down and studied onerous to finish his remaining exams in Czech language, English and Geography.
“It was tremendous troublesome in that point. I used to be additionally doing remaining 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 remaining exams, and I had the elbow [injury],” Mensik mentioned. “I used to be actually, actually, nervous… However I believe that we made a great determination that I stayed centered on college at the moment and skipped Roland Garros.
“After all, it was a troublesome determination, however I’ve to say now that it was an excellent determination. 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 at school.”
Shang Juncheng, 19 years oldShang made Chinese language historical past in September when he gained his first ATP Tour title in Chengdu. By triumphing on residence soil, the 19-year-old turned simply the second Chinese language champion in ATP historical past (Wu Yibing, Dallas 2023).
The lefty’s dynamic recreation fashion has triggered opponents loads of issues in 2024, with Shang additionally reaching the semis in Atlanta and Hong Kong.
Shang owes quite a lot of his success to his mother and father, who had been each skilled athletes.
“After I bought into tennis, as athletes they each helped,” Shang advised 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 taking part in a group sport was a bit of bit totally different, however with bodily contact, he is aware of how necessary health is and measures to assist forestall damage, so I believe 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, mainly every little thing I do know, and it is simply actually optimistic.”
Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tien, Van Assche ShineAmerican Basavareddy completed 2024 on fireplace. Since September, he gained two ATP Challenger Tour titles and reached an extra 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 residence 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 12 months,” Fonseca advised ATPTour.com as a part of our Subsequent Gen Influences collection. “He mentioned 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 mentioned 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.
