5 NextGen ATP players primed to break out in 2021

Can Jannik Sinner and other youngsters build off a strong 2019-2020? Here is a look at 5 potential NextGen breakout candidates for the 2021 ATP Tennis season.

With much of the 2020 ATP Tennis season in doubt due to the recent circumstances of the COVID-19 Pandemic, one can only look forward to the 2021 season for the true return of tennis.

While development for many of the NextGen players has stalled during the pandemic, next year could finally be the year where we see some of the ATP’s youngest stars break out on the big stage. With that being said, here are my 5 picks for players who are bound to shine next season.

1. Jannik Sinner

At just 18 years old, the Italian made waves last year when he cruised past Alex de Minaur to win the NextGen ATP Finals.

Coming into 2020, Sinner made big splashes by beating his first Top 10 player and making an ATP 500 Quarterfinal, accomplishing all of this before the pandemic cut the season short.

Standing at a respectable 6’2, Sinner’s lanky frame allows him to put some pop on his serve, in addition to having powerful groundstrokes. However, his speed and movement around the court are his true strengths; it ultimately separates him from the rest of his competitors.

It’s no wonder Andreas Seppi calls him a potential Grand Slam winner. Watch for Sinner to make waves early next season.

2. Thiago Seyboth Wild

The rise of Seyboth Wild in 2020 was indeed wild. After getting a wild card into the Chile Open,  Wild took the tennis world by storm by defeating 3 Top 100 opponents, including Cristian Garin and Casper Ruud en route to winning the entire tournament to claim his first ATP title.

Wild’s prowess on clay makes him a surefire breakout candidate for the 2021 season. His solid defense and dogged mentality on the court are reminiscent of David Ferrer.

However, unlike Ferrer, Wild possesses an incredibly strong backhand, giving him an advantage on other surfaces besides clay as well.

At just 20 years old, Wild’s playing style has already been described as mature. It’s not a question if he is ready to breakout out on the big stage. It’s a matter of when.

3. Mikael Ymer

Though Ymer has been inconsistent throughout his early career, he has shown plenty of promise. He won 3 challenger titles in 2019 and beat the likes of Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Alijaz Bedene. At the end of 2019, he was able to qualify for the NextGen ATP Finals, where he beat fellow up and comer Ugo Humbert.

Ymer differs from many NextGen players, as he opts for a very conservative, pusher style of play rather than an aggressive game.

His baseline defense probably ranks at the top for his generation of players, in addition to his stellar net play. Ymer still has a long way to go with his serve, as it is probably the weakest part of his game.

In spite of his weaknesses, Top Ten player Stefanos Tsitsipas was impressed with Ymer, dubbing his playstyle as unique.

If the ultra-talented Ymer can continue to improve on the promise he has shown so far, he can eventually become a prominent threat on tour with Top 15 potential. Look for him to break out during the late hard court season next year.

4. Miomir Kecmanovic

Could another Serbian be on the rise to succeed Djokovic? If anyone can do it, it’s Kecmanovic.

At just 20 years old, Kecmanovic has broken into the Top 50, and has beaten the likes of Felix Auger Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz, and Alexander Zverev. In 2019, he made the 4th Round of the Cincinnati Open and reached his first ATP Final.

Kecmanovic does a good job of combining defense and offense in his game. His forehand is by far his best and most powerful shot in his arsenal, but his net skills and movement are strong as well. Michael Dickens of Tennis TourTalk describes Kecmanovic’s game as “pesky but hustling style”.

Like Ymer, Kecmanovic needs to improve on his serve, especially his second serve, if he wants to compete with the Top 20 on a consistent level. However, his mental toughness and maturity at a young age should allow him to progress faster than others.

5. Jason Tseng

Last on this list, but not least, is probably one of the most underrated young talents on tour right now. Sharing his birthday with Roger Federer, Tseng possess immense talent and potential at the young age of 18.

Tseng won 2 junior Grand Slams and was the #1 junior tennis player in the world. He turned pro in 2019, and his ranking reached a peak of 272 in the world after playing just a few months of pro tennis.

A product of Patrick Mouratoglou’s academy. Tseng’s playing style is very unique compared to his peers. His small frame (he stands at 5’9) prevents him from getting any real pop on his serve.

However, he uses this to his advantage, as he throws in a variety of kick and slice serves to throw his opponent off the court in order to prevent them from generating a powerful return.

Additionally, his return game is very strong, and he has the stamina and speed to stay in a rally for a long time. His forehand and net skills are still a bit weak, but considering how young and inexperienced he is, he still has plenty of time to improve.

Overall, Tseng is probably one of the most promising players of his generation. If he can continue to rise and develop at this current pace, we can see him being a real threat at Majors next year. Tseng is a sleeper candidate to breakout during next year’s clay season.