Best of 2024
Fils, Michelsen, Mensik and Shang among 2024 #NextGenATP stars
Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tian and Van Assche also star
December 10, 2024
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Arthur Fils won two titles in 2024.
Sam Jacott
The world’s best #NextGenATP stars will descend on Jeddah next week for the seventh edition of the NextGen ATP Finals, hosted by PIF.
Arthur Fils, Alex Michelsen, Jakub Mensik, Shang Jun Cheng, Lerner Tian Learner Tien, Luca Van Assche, Nishesh Basavareddy and Joao Fonseca will feature in the 20-and-under competition , aiming to follow in the footsteps of former champions Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Ahead of the competition, ATPTour.com looks back at some of their breakout moments as part of our Best of 2024 series. On Wednesday, we’ll spotlight the first-time winners, featuring Shang.
Arthur Fells, 20
The Frenchman built on his breakout season in 2023 with a strong performance at the 2024 ATP 500 event.
“I’m very happy with the tennis I played,” Fiers said after winning in Tokyo. “I worked a lot and tried to improve my tennis. I think it’s better now, from Hamburg to Tokyo. I still need to improve, but it’s cool.
The 20-year-old broke into the top 20 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time in July, while also beating Hubert Hurkacz, Alexander Zverev and Tyler Free Taylor Fritz entered the top 10. Can he end 2024 with a title in Saudi Arabia?
Alex Michelson, 20
The 20-year-old first came to attention when he reached the Newport final in July 2023 and has gone from strength to strength in 2024. The U.S. advanced to the championship game again in 2024 in Newport, reaching the finals in Winston-Salem and the semifinals in Metz.
McKesson is proud of his development in 2024.
“I’m trying not to put pressure on myself this year,” Michelsen told ATPTour.com earlier this season. “I feel like even on the court, no matter what the score is, I always cheer myself up. Whether I win a point or lose a point, I say something to myself softly or loudly. I feel like the pressure hasn’t really gotten to me yet. body.
Jeddah Hub Tour
Jakub Mencik, 19
With his thunderous game, Mencic reached new heights in 2024.
The Czech made a fast start to the season by qualifying and reaching the second round at the Australian Open. He then reached his first ATP Tour final in Doha, defeating top ten star Andrei Rublev and former world No. 1 Andy Murray. Quarterfinals in Shanghai and Vienna mean Mencic moves into the top 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings, having started the year at No. 167.
Off the court, Mencic studied hard and completed the final exams in Czech, English and geography.
“It was a super difficult time. I was also doing finals in school, so it was a big part of my life because I had finals before the Grand Slam and I had an elbow [injury],” Mensik said. “I was really, really nervous… but I think we made a good decision and I focused on my studies and skipped the French Open.
“Of course, it was a difficult decision, but now I have to say, it was a very good decision. After that, I was certainly happier playing on the court without pain. Obviously, my grades in school were all excellent.
Shang Juncheng, 19 years old
In September, Shang made Chinese history by winning his first ATP Tour title in Chengdu. By winning the title on home soil, the 19-year-old became the second Chinese champion in ATP history (Wu Yibing, Dallas, 2023).
The left-hander’s dynamic style of play caused a lot of trouble for opponents in 2024, and Shang also reached the semifinals in Atlanta and Hong Kong.
Shang owes much of his success to his parents, both of whom were professional athletes.
“When I came into tennis, they all helped me as a player,” Shang told ATPTour.com at Wimbledon. “My mom played individual sports and she knew how to compete on her own and then have her team help her. My dad playing team sports was a little different, but through physical contact, he knew the importance of fitness and the steps to help prevent injuries, So I think it was really perfect for me as a kid to start life like that in a family that was understanding and I was lucky enough that they taught me a lot, basically everything I know, which was very positive. .
Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tian, Van Aschesien
Basavareddy USA 2024 has come to a successful conclusion. Since September, he has won two ATP Challenger titles and reached the finals at this level three other times. Inspired by Rajeev Ram, the 19-year-old will head to Jeddah full of confidence.
Brazilian Fonseca has made his mark in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro by reaching the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 event. The 18-year-old, who also reached the quarter-finals in Bucharest, thanked Brazilian legend Gustavo Kuerten for his support.
“My first interaction with Guga was at the Davis Cup at the beginning of this year,” Fonseca told ATPTour.com as part of our campaign Next Generation Impact Series. “He said some really good things about the whole team. [He shared] His experience, the way he’s managed his career after so many injuries. It’s really inspiring, he’s an icon. He was a very nice guy and he said some very nice things.
Tien won three ATP Challenger Tour trophies in 2024, more than anyone else competing in Jeddah. Van Assche played in Jeddah in 2023 and reached the third round at the Australian Open in January.
