Year-End Capsule Comments on Leading ATP Players and Their Challengers

No. 2 Jannik Sinner — Despite a three-month doping suspension following his Australian Open title, Sinner won Wimbledon and took the ATP Finals title without dropping a set. Jannik diversified his relentless power game to make it “less predictable,” increasing his serving and volleying, a surprise tactic, and finesse shots. What more can he do to stymie his archrival, Carlos Alcaraz? We’ll find out in January.

The Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry — When these two young giants showcase their repertoire of rapid-fire shots and often turn desperate defense into concussive offense, I think this is as great as tennis gets. That is, until they find ways of surpassing even that stratospheric level of brilliance. How fortunate the sports world is to watch these geniuses at work.

Four Young Challengers to Watch in 2026: 

No. 10 Jack Draper — Technique matters a lot! That’s why I like this rugged lefty over another, No. 9 Ben Shelton, who is the same age (23), and height (6’4”). Although both have dynamite first and second serves, Draper’s forehand and volley are sounder and thus more reliable, and his backhand is much more effective and consistent.

 The Brit with grit pulled the plug on his 2025 season after an arm injury forced him to withdraw from the US Open. A key stat: Jack the Ripper ranked No. 5 among the Under Pressure Leaders.

No. 40 Arthur Fils — Too talented and too ambitious not to crack the top 10 in 2026. A stress fracture in his back prematurely ended his 2025 campaign in which he achieved a career-high, No. 14 ranking. The 21-year-old Frenchman boasts the rugged physique, power, and speed needed to threaten the new Big Two.

A natural showman, Fils said, “To win is a great feeling, but sometimes to do unbelievable shots and unbelievable points, it's very good as well.” That attribute has won over spectators, and their enthusiastic support will surely help Arthur win close matches.

No. 15 Holger Rune — “I won a Masters 1000 against Novak Djokovic in the final when I was 19 years old. I think that says it pretty well,” Rune told ATPTour.com in February about the elite level he can reach. “But it's all about consistency. That is what I am trying to find.”

Holger struggled after that flash of brilliance at the 2022 Paris Open, while Alcaraz and Sinner zoomed past the disappointed Dane. The former world No. 4, more mature and as passionate about tennis as ever, will return to the top 10—and perhaps even the top 5 if he strengthens his forehand and plays smarter both offensively and defensively.

No. 24 Joao Fonseca — A happy, fulfilling off-court life can prove vital to on-court success. This highly touted, 19-year-old Brazilian has taken the advice of his coach, Guilherme Texeira: “When you are doing nothing, less of staying on the phone. To help you be a better person, just read books to learn a little bit more.” Joao undoubtedly learned much from Andre Agassi’s revealing memoir, "OPEN," about the popular champion and his roller-coaster career.

A ferocious 100-mph-plus forehand is Fonseca’s biggest weapon. He notched only one top-15 win, over No. 9 Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, in his first full year on the Tour. How far and fast Fonseca rises next year will depend greatly on developing other weapons to complement his monster forehand.