The Next Generation of Tennis
by Julian Glickman
John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Serena and Venus Williams, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova: what do they all have in common? They are legends of the sport of tennis. As amazing as their careers have been, a new generation of promising tennis stars are taking their seats at the table, gaining global attention because of their success at such young ages and playing their idols on the world stage. Although I’ve only selected a handful to spotlight, this next generation (known as the NextGen) has many talented youngsters who have promising careers ahead of them. Let’s meet some of them:
Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem of Austria, 27, has been at the forefront of the NextGen for years and finally fulfilled his dream of becoming a Grand Slam Champion at the United States Open in New York this year. With Thiem’s big win in New York and his triumph to world #3, some say he could be the fourth addition to the “Big 4” alongside the other three, legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev of Germany, 23, has also been at the forefront of the NextGen despite his young age. Zverev was able to reach his highest ranking of #3 in November of 2017, win the ATP Finals over Novak Djokovic in 2018, win his way to his first grand slam semi-final and final in 2020. Zverev, in fact, lost to Thiem in that final.
Coco Gauff
In the summer of 2019, Many Americans heard about Wimbledon sensation Coco Gauff of the United States, who was able to make it through qualifying and beat one of her idols, the great Venus Williams, in the first round at only age 15! Not only did Gauff beat Williams, but she was also able to make it to the fourth round before losing to eventual champion Simona Halep. After her big break at Wimbledon, Gauff’s career only went uphill, scoring big brand deals with New Balance and Barilla, winning her first title in Linz, Austria and building a great relationship with former world #1, 3-time grand slam champion and 23-year-old, Naomi Osaka. Gauff first played Osaka in the third round of the 2019 US Open where Osaka won and invited Gauff to do the on-court interview with her because she knew how important the moment was for Gauff. A few months later, Gauff was able to defeat reigning champion Osaka in the third round as well.
Sofia Kenin
Last but not least, Sofia Kenin of the United States, 21. Kenin turned pro in 2017 when she was only 18. In 2020, she reached the final of the Australian Open (beating Gauff along the way) and won her first grand slam title, defeating Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain. Kenin was born in Moscow, Russia, to two Russian parents and moved to the US when she was only a few months old when the family only had $286. At the French Open in 2020, Kenin made her second grand slam final but was defeated by 17-year-old Iga Swiatek.
Having a break through in tennis is a very difficult feat and not everyone is able to do so, but as current greats such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams get older, there is more room for young stars like Thiem, Zverev, Gauff and Kenin to breakthrough. I’ve only handpicked a few members of the NextGen, but there are so many more, including Iga Swiatek of Poland, Amanada Anisimova of the United States, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, Matteo Berrettini of Italy and Daniil Medvedev of Russia. While you may not know their name now, soon enough they’ll break through and show you what they’re made of.