Back in late 2021 after finishing college tennis at Ohio State (he was ranked no. 1 in NCAA), JJ Wolf was plodding along in Challengers, losing three times to Stefan Kozlov in semis and beating him in a final of Las Vegas 64 64.
But it was not Kozlov who broke out in 2022, it was Wolf who ascended to the top 50. The 24 year old powerhouse is ranked 43 right now and today he scored a three set win over world no. 14 Frances Tiafoe at Dallas Open to reach the semifinals.
The Cincinnati, Ohio native who turned pro in 2019, established himself as a player to keep an eye on last year. In Acapulco in February, while ranked 209, he beat Kevin Anderson, Lorenzo Sonego and Andreas Seppi. Then at Indian Wells, Wolf qualified and beat Hugo Gaston in the first round before extending Roberto Bautista Agut to 76 in the third.
The quality wins kept coming. Semis in Phoenix. R64 in Miami, a three set loss to no. 5 Tsitsipas. A 64 64 win vs no. 36 Brooksby in Houston. Wins over Rune and Shapovalov in Washington DC. US Open wins vs Tabilo and Agut before losing to Kyrgios. Finals in Florence 250, a 46 46 loss to Felix Auger Aliassime. 15-13 on the year 2022 at the ATP level.
With a taste of the big time, Wolf has continued to climb towards the ATP elite pantheon in 2023. At Australian Open Wolf beat Thompson, Schwartzman and Mmoh before losing to Ben Shelton in five sets in R16. That run elevated Wolf’s ranking from 67 to 43 and to today’s impressive Dallas victory over Tiafoe.
There’s no telling how high Wolf can rise. At his rate of progress and steady results and improvement and comfort in the ATP World Tour’s biggest tournaments, Wolf has no limits. He has extraordinary hitting power, moves extremely well and has the mature, experienced demeanor and intelligence that suggest he may be on his way to achieving something special.
Wolf may wear two flashy earrings but he has a serious, professional, low-key, non-controversial presence and doesn’t seem to have interest in promoting himself or his exploits via social media or silly behavior. What he’s been doing on the court for the last two years has been nothing short of phenomenal and sensational.
Wolf has locked horns and beaten and threatened some of the best players in the ATP. With more seasoning and experience, no expert can really say for sure what he may accomplish over the next three years.
Notes: Wolf is the brand ambassador for Greyson clothing line and his inspirations are Andre Agassi, John Wayne and the Grateful Dead…he has three coaches including David Kass.
ATP · Dallas Open · Greyson · JJ Wolf · Ohio State
Scoop Malinowski · February 12, 2023 at 8:31 am
Wolf lost in three to Isner who amazingly still has the ability to win at 37, still a competitive beast. New coach now with Phil Farmer, dispatched David Macpherson at end of 2022. Isner still in the top 40 and healthy, just amazing. Wu beat Fritz in 3 sets also, Wu is emerging as a big time player. Fulfilling the prophecy of Peter McNamara who told me ten years ago China had so many young boy and girl talents and someday China would have several top pros. Macker worked in China as a coach for many years so he knew. He said the girls were tougher because the culture favors boys and they were spoiled.