Fils, Michelsen, Mensik & Shang among the #NextGenATP stars in 2024 | ATP Tour

Best of 2024

Fils, Michelsen, Mensik & Shang among the #NextGenATP stars in 2024

Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tien and Van Assche also appear

December 10, 2024

#NextGenATP world stars are set to descend on Jeddah next week when they compete in the seventh edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

Arthur Fils, Alex Michelsen, Jakub Mensik, Shang Juncheng, Learner Tien, Luca Van Assche, Nishesh Basavareddy and Joao Fonseca will take to the court in the 20-and-under event, aiming to follow in their footsteps of former champions Jannik Sinner, Carlos. Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Ahead of the tournament, ATPtour.com looks back at some of their most successful moments as part of our Best of 2024 series. On Wednesday, we'll focus on the first-time winners, which includes Shang.

Arthur Fils, 20 years
The Frenchman builds on his successful 2023 season with outstanding results at ATP 500 events in 2024. Fils won titles in Hamburg and Tokyo, surpassing the 2024 ATP 500 Bonus Pool.

“I'm very happy with the tennis I'm producing,” said Fils after his victory in Tokyo. “I'm working hard and trying to build my tennis. I think now is better, from Hamburg to Tokyo. I still have to improve but it's cool.”

The 20-year-old broke the Top 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time in July, when he won the Top 10 against Hubert Hurkacz, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Can he end 2024 with a title in Saudi Arabia?

Alex Michelsen, 20 years old
The 20-year-old is firmly in the running for 2024 after first coming to the fore in July 2023 when he reached the final in Newport. The American advanced to the title game in Newport again in 2024 and enjoyed a run to the last Winston-Salem and a semi-final showdown in Metz.

Michelsen is proud of his progress in 2024.

“I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself this year,” Michelsen told ATPtour.com earlier this season. “I feel like even on the field, I always push myself no matter what the score is. Win or lose the point, I say something quietly or loudly to myself. I feel like the pressure hasn't really gotten to me yet.”

Travel to Jeddah Hub

Jakub Mensik, 19 years old
Having a popular game, Mensik reached a new height in 2024.

The Czech got off to a flying start to the season when he came out of qualifying to enter the second round at the Australian Open. He then reached his first ATP Tour final in Doha, defeating Top 10 star Andrey Rublev and former World No. Andy Murray. Quarter-final performances in Shanghai and Vienna meant that Mensik finished the season inside the Top 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings, having started the year at No. 167.

Outside the court, Mensik put his head down and studied hard to pass his final exams in Czech, English and Geography.

“It was very difficult at that time. I also had final exams at school, so that was also a big part of my life, because before the Grand Slam I had final exams, and I had an elbow. [injury],” said Mensik. “I was really nervous… But I think we made a good decision to focus on school at that time and skip Roland Garros.

“Yes, it was a difficult decision, but I must say now that it was a very good decision. And after that, of course I was very happy to play on the field, without pain. And obviously, just like in school. “

Shang Juncheng, 19 years old
Shang made Chinese history in September when he won his first ATP Tour title in Chengdu. By winning on home soil, the 19-year-old became the second Chinese champion in ATP history (Wu Yibing, Dallas 2023).

The lefty's style of play caused many problems for opponents in 2024, and Shang also reached the semis in Atlanta and Hong Kong.

Shang owes much of his success to his parents, who were professional athletes.

“When I got into tennis, as athletes they both helped me,” Shang told ATPTour.com at Wimbledon. “My mother used to play every game, she knows how to compete alone and then she helps her team. My dad who played a team sport was a little bit different, but with physical contact, he knows how important fitness and measures are to help prevent injuries, so I think it's really good for me as a kid to start like that in an understanding family. . I'm lucky they taught me a lot of things, basically everything I know, and it's really good.”

Basavareddy, Fonseca, Tien, Van Assche Shine
American Basavareddy finished 2024 on fire. Since September, he has won two ATP Challenger Tour titles and reached three more finals at that level. Inspired by Rajeev Ram, the 19-year-old will head to Jeddah high on confidence.

Brazil's Fonseca did something impressive at home in Rio de Janerio, where he advanced to the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 event. The 18-year-old player, who also arrived at the rest rooms in Bucharest, is very grateful for the support he received from the Brazilian veteran, Gustavo Kuerten.

“My first contact with Guga was at the Davis Cup at the beginning of the year,” Fonseca told ATPTour.com as part of us. Next Gen Influences series. “He said good things to the whole team. [He shared] his experience, the way he handled his work after so many injuries. It's really inspiring and you're an idol. You are a really nice person and you said very nice things. “

Tien lifted three ATP Challenger Tour trophies in 2024, more than anyone else competing in Jeddah. Van Assche, who played in Jeddah in 2023, enjoyed a run to the third round at the Australian Open in January.