There are several players who created serious momentum in 2024 and are poised in position to emerge as elite ATP players in 2025.
Nishesh Basavareddy established himself with excellent Challenger results, numerous wins over established pros, decided to leave Stanford University after one year and qualified for NEXT GEN. The feisty, tenacious steady baseliner has not been intimidated by the ATP World Tour and I expect him to continue to rise.
Federico Agustin Gomez, the 28 year old from Argentina is a powerhouse brute almost resembles the incredible Hulk on the court. He has a monster forehand, serve and also a super intense energy demeanor that conveys he will do anything to make it big. Gomez won a couple of Challengers in 2024 and, as a qualifier ,was up a break last week on Opelka in the first set of the first round before losing 57 46. Opelka proceeded to beat Djokovic the next round in Brisbane. Gomez is an unstoppable force.
Learner Tien is a lefty from California with uncanny ability to win matches with his baseline precision, power and variety. 19 year old Tien, the former US Open junior champ, won a ton of Challenger matches this year and reached the finals of NEXT GEN, losing to Fonseca, who also beat him at the US Open boys junior final.
If there’s a future no. 1 lurking out there it’s Joao Fonseca. The Brazilian marvel can do it all and he’s got the million dollar head to match his talent.
Elliot Spizzirri, was the best player in NCAAs a couple of years ago at University of Texas and after four years and a couple in Challengers and ITF, the Connecticut native has been steadily ascending the ranks. His signature win of 2024 was a three set sensational thriller over Fonseca in the third round of US Open qualies.
Jerry Shang of China was the top ITF junior a couple of years ago and he too has been steadily rising up the ranks with some spectacular performances. The smooth lefty can do it all and like his former coach Marcelo Rios, he has a natural elegance and flair that stands out from the rest of the pack.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard might be the most explosive force in tennis in the future and maybe even right now. His serve is absolutely devastating and with a few more years of seasoning and refining, there is a chance he could become virtually unplayable by the majority of the Tour.
Federico Gomez · Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard · Jerry Shang
Scoop Malinowski · January 16, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Also of course, the already known Alex Michelsen, Jacub Mensik, Joao Fonseca.