The 2020 ATP Tour season has already witnessed a number of standout performances from #NextGenATP stars. From Felix Auger-Aliassime to Jurij Rodionov, ATPTour.com takes a look at the 21-and-under players who have hit the headlines already this year:

Felix On Fire
With a 13-9 record so far in 2020, Felix Auger-Aliassime is setting an example for fellow #NextGenATP players. The 19-year-old Canadian has produced a number of impressive performances after a breakthrough 2019 campaign.

After reaching his first semi-final of the season in Adelaide, Auger-Aliassime found his best form on the indoor hard courts in Europe. The Montreal-born star advanced to his second ATP 500 final at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam with wins against Jan-Lennard Struff, Grigor Dimitrov, Aljaz Bedene and Pablo Carreno Busta.

Despite falling short of a first ATP Tour title against Gael Monfils, Auger-Aliassime saved match points in back-to-back matches in Marseille en route to his second final in as many weeks.

Wild Week
Thiago Seyboth Wild entered the final week of the Golden Swing with just two tour-level victories to his name, but a lot can change in a week on the ATP Tour. The 19-year-old Brazilian defeated three Argentinian opponents, including Juan Ignacio Londero, en route to his maiden tour-level final at the Chile Dove Men+Care Open in Santiago.

In the championship match, the Brazilian stunned Buenos Aires titlist and 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Casper Ruud to become the youngest player from his nation to claim an ATP Tour crown. Seyboth Wild is the only #NextGenATP player to have captured an ATP Tour title this year. 

Miomir Makes Solid Start
Last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals semi-finalist Miomir Kecmanovic has enjoyed a consistent start to his 2020 campaign. The Serbian, who fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in Milan last year, has reached two semi-finals on the ATP Tour already this season.

Kecmanovic won his opening six sets of 2020, earning victories against Jordan Thompson, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marton Fucsovics to advance to the Qatar ExxonMobil Open semi-finals. The Belgrade native matched that run in February, beating ASB Classic winner and 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Ugo Humbert to reach the last four at the New York Open.

Shapovalov Strikes Early
Denis Shapovalov opened the year in great form, securing two Top 10 wins at the inaugural ATP Cup. The Canadian scored straight-sets wins against World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas and World No. 7 Alexander Zverev en route to the quarter-finals, where he pushed Novak Djokovic to a final-set tie-break. As a result of his performances in Brisbane and Sydney, Shapovalov rose to a career-high No. 13 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on 13 January.

Rodionov Rises To The Challenge
Jurij Rodionov’s form on the ATP Challenger Tour has earned the Austrian a career-high FedEx ATP Ranking. The 6’3” left-hander, under the guidance of new touring coach Javier Frana, claimed 15 wins from 17 matches during a four-week period to earn titles in Dallas and Morelos. From 3 February to 2 March, the Austrian rose from No. 362 to No. 168 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.

Finalists Finding Form
Last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals champion Jannik Sinner, who reached a career-high No. 68 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on 17 February, claimed his first Top 10 victory against David Goffin at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. Two-time runner-up De Minaur began the year with Top 15 wins against Zverev and Shapovalov at the ATP Cup, but was forced to miss the following six weeks of the ATP Tour due to an abdominal injury.

Nakashima Rising
Brandon Nakashima has caught the attention of many American tennis fans this year. The 18-year-old, who picked up an ITF title in Rancho Santa Fe in January, beat Pune champion Jiri Vesely and Cameron Norrie to reach his maiden ATP Tour quarter-final at the Delray Beach Open by VITACOST.com in February. Nakashima maintained his form in his next event, dropping only one set to reach the semi-finals at the Oracle Challenger Series Indian Wells.

Are you stuck for something to do at home, during the COVID-19 pandemic? If the answer is yes, you can settle down today and watch the longest match in tennis history on Wimbledon’s YouTube channel…

John Isner met Nicolas Mahut over three days during 2010 Wimbledon, with the American winning the first-round encounter 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(9), 7-6(3), 70-68 over 11 hours and five minutes. The final set alone lasted eight hours and 11 minutes.

Frances Tiafoe is currently at home, but he’s finding plenty of ways to stay entertained.

The American took part in the ATP Tour #TennisAtHome campaign by showing fans how he’s having fun while practising social distancing. His girlfriend, Ayan, and brother, Franklin, are also staying with him.

Tiafoe is using this time to stay in touch with fellow players like Tommy Paul and even found a unique way to simulate match play. He recorded a spot-on impersonation of Nick Kyrgios’ underarm serve during his match with Franklin.

This is pretty good ?

Who’s @FTiafoe impersonating? ?#tennisathome ?? pic.twitter.com/e0AvdTi0bf

— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 20, 2020

Be a part of the trend. Share what you’re doing using #TennisAtHome and tag @ATPTour.

The AELTC can confirm that it is continuing a detailed evaluation of all scenarios for The Championships 2020, including postponement and cancellation, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The AELTC has been contingency planning since January, working closely with the UK government and public health authorities to follow their advice and understand the likely impact of COVID-19 and the government’s emergency measures on The Championships, and our thoughts are with all those affected by this crisis at this time.

An emergency meeting of the AELTC Main Board is scheduled for next week, and in preparation we are communicating closely with the LTA, and with the ATP, WTA, ITF and the other Grand Slams. The build for The Championships is due to begin at the end of April.

At this time, based on the advice we have received from the public health authorities, the very short window available to us to stage The Championships due to the nature of our surface suggests that postponement is not without significant risk and difficulty. Playing behind closed doors has been formally ruled out.

Following the government’s advice, the AELTC’s sites at the All England Club, Wimbledon Park Golf Club and Raynes Park are currently closed with physical operations reduced to the practical minimum to maintain the grass courts and the security of the sites.

The AELTC, through our charity the Wimbledon Foundation, is offering support within our local communities and more broadly for the London and UK population through our partnerships with the British Red Cross and City Harvest.

Richard Lewis CBE, AELTC Chief Executive, commented: “The unprecedented challenge presented by the COVID-19 crisis continues to affect our way of life in ways that we could not have imagined, and our thoughts are with all those affected in the UK and around the world. The single most important consideration is one of public health, and we are determined to act responsibly through the decisions we make. We are working hard to bring certainty to our plans for 2020 and have convened an emergency meeting of the AELTC Main Board for next week, at which a decision will be made.”

Since the global outbreak of COVID-19, many of us now have far more time on our hands to cook from home. And now, following reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Jannik Sinner’s Instagram announcement, we can use that time to help fight the spread of the virus.

 

 

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Mentre siamo tutti a casa in isolamento, ho pensato che potesse essere il momento giusto per lanciare una piccola sfida di donazione per il nostro paese ?? Io e la mia agenzia di gestione @starwingsports doneremo forniture mediche di vitale importanza per aiutare l’Italia in questo momento difficile a causa di COVID -19. Ogni foto che caricherete di un sosia di Pizza di me stesso o di una figura italiana del passato o del presente, doneremo 10 €. Carica una foto della tua pizza fatta in casa usando #SinnerPizzaChallenge per sensibilizzare e spero ispirare gli altri a donare come possono per aiutarci tutti a superare questo. Ps se desideri partecipare anche tu alla donazione sentiti libero di farlo usando È importante rimanere uniti in questi momenti di bisogno ❤️ Non vedo l’ora di vedere le tue foto! – Whilst we’re all home in confinement I thought it could be appropriate time to throw a little donation challenge for our country ?? Myself & my management agency @starwingsports are going to donate vital medical supplies to help Italy through this tough time due to COVID-19. Every photo you guys upload of a Pizza lookalike of myself or any italian figure from the past or present we will donate 10€. Upload a photo of your homemade pizza using #SinnerPizzaChallenge to build awareness and hopefully inspire others to donate as they can in order to help us all get through this. Ps if you wish to donate as well feel free to do so using the link in my bio. It is important we stick together in these times of need ❤️ I look forward to seeing your photos! #ForItaly #LetsStickTogether #StaySafe #VivaItalia #TannisAtHome @atptour

A post shared by Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) on Mar 25, 2020 at 5:25am PDT

The Italian shared the news on Wednesday that he will donate €10 alongside his management company Starwing Sports for every photo he receives of a pizza that resembles himself or any past or present Italian figure. The money raised will be used to fund vital medical supplies in Italy during the pandemic.

Upload a photo of your pizza lookalike on Instagram using #SinnerPizzaChallenge. You can also donate here.

After spending six months away from the ATP Tour in 2016 to recover from knee surgery, Roger Federer made a stunning return to action in 2017.

The Swiss turned back the clock in his return event at the Australian Open, beating Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal in back-to-back five-set classics to capture his first Grand Slam trophy since 2012 Wimbledon and rode the momentum into the ‘Sunshine Double’ events of Indian Wells and Miami.

Watch Full Match Replay of Federer v Kyrgios at TennisTV.com

After taking the title in the Californian desert, Federer arrived in Miami with a third trophy of the year in sight and the early signs were encouraging. The 18-time Grand Slam champion moved past Frances Tiafoe, Juan Martin del Potro and Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals and saved two match points against Tomas Berdych in a final-set tie-break to reach the last four. It left just one man standing between him and a place in the final. A man he had yet to beat.

That man was Aussie sensation Nick Kyrgios. The 21-year-old Canberra native had defeated Federer in three tie-break sets to win their maiden ATP Head2Head encounter almost two years prior at the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open. The pair were due to meet two weeks earlier in Indian Wells, until food poisoning forced Kyrgios to withdraw from their quarter-final clash. Luckily for tennis fans around the world, nothing got in the way of a rivalry-defining classic in Miami.

In a fascinating showcase of attacking tennis, Federer and Kyrgios produced the 2017 ATP Match of the Year. Federer saved set points and Kyrgios saved match points, but it was the Swiss who ultimately claimed his place in the final with a 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) triumph after three hours and 11 minutes.

“It did feel very good, because you don’t very often play three tie-breaks in a match. It’s nice to win those and winning tie-breaks is always such a thrill,” said Federer. “It’s great winning this way, especially because I remember the loss against him a few years ago. It was rough. It was the birthday of my boys. I wasn’t with them and had that match, so it was nice to get this one tonight.”

A standing-room only crowd came out to Crandon Park to watch two of the most exciting players on the ATP Tour do battle, and they weren’t shy about letting their feelings be known. Whether it was giving a standing ovation for a between-the-legs winner from Kyrgios or chanting Roger’s name, their enthusiasm prompted the umpire to call for quiet on multiple occasions during the match.

After failing to convert three set points, Federer trusted his backhand and held his nerve in the tie-break to save set points at 7/8 and 8/9. The Aussie’s penchant for going for broke at crucial moments of the match may have cost him the opening set. He rolled the dice on a big second serve at 9/9 and missed badly, handing Federer a third set point. The Swiss star made good on his chance, wrapping up the set as Kyrgios sent a backhand into the doubles alley.

The drama remained at maximum level in the second-set tie-break, as Federer committed errors on two match points. Kyrgios wouldn’t allow Federer another opportunity, firing an ace at 10/9 and looking to his box in celebration after forcing a decider.

A sixth straight tie-break followed for Federer and Kyrgios, with the crowd on their feet to applaud the efforts of both players. Kyrgios didn’t learn his lesson from the first set, gambling with a 128 mph second serve at 5/5 and ultimately hitting a double fault for his most costly shot of the night. Kyrgios’ risk proved to be Federer’s reward, with the 35-year-old firing a big first serve to complete the win.

“I showed a lot of fight,” said Kyrgios. “Obviously I’m an emotional guy. I had some ups and downs, a bit of a roller coaster, but ultimately I think I put in a good performance.”

After winning back-to-back third-set tie-breaks in the same tournament for the third time in his career (2005 Dubai, 2001 Rome), Federer claimed his third ‘Sunshine Double’ with a straight sets victory against Rafael Nadal in the championship match.

Since leaving the court in Miami, Federer has triumphed in three further final-set tie-breaks against Kyrgios and now owns a 6-1 ATP Head2Head record against the Aussie. The pair’s second encounter will be remembered for many reasons, but perhaps most of all as the moment when two men cemented an exciting new ATP Tour rivalry and Federer turned it in his favour.

View Federer And Kyrgios’ ATP Head2Head Rivalry

Do you want to support hospital staff fighting COVID-19 while playing your favourite video game at home? If so, Nicolas Mahut has the answer.

Introducing the #RestezChezVousTrophy, organised by the Frenchman to offer gamers the opportunity to compete in an online FIFA 20 tournament with entry fees being donated to hospital staff. Mahut took to his Instagram account to announce details of the event and invite French players, including Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, to join the fun and help save lives by staying at home and reducing the spread of the virus.

 

 

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La situation sanitaire en France nous contraint à devoir rester chez nous et il est important que nous respections tous les règles! Avec mes fils, Thiefaine et Natanel, nous avons décidé d’organiser le #restezchezvous Trophy sur #fifa20 ⚽️ ? 4 tournois disputés un jour sur deux et un masters réunissant les 4 vainqueurs. Le vainqueur de chaque tournoi recevra au choix une raquette dédicacée de ma part ou une tenue! Le vainqueur du masters recevra 2 places pour @rolandgarros Pour les les inscriptions et les regles >> écrivez en DM sur Instagram à @thiefaine_t Les copains @iamgaelmonfils @lucaspouille @pierrehuguesherbert @tsongaofficiel @jimchardy @richardgasquet34 @edouardrogervasselin je vous attends? ? Pour le premier tournoi, les 32 premiers seront inscrits, et suivant les demandes on augmentera la taille des tableaux!! ? inscription à partir de…. MAINTENANT et premier tournoi lundi 23 Mars à 16h avec retransmission en direct de la finale sur instagram ! À très vite et n’oubliez pas # RESTEZCHEZVOUS ?

A post shared by Nicolas Mahut (@nicomahut) on Mar 22, 2020 at 6:00am PDT

Mahut has organised four events, with the second 128-player edition to take place on 26 March. The winner of each competition will receive a signed racquet or outfit from Mahut, before the four winners compete for two tickets to Roland Garros.

 

 

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C’est parti pour le tournoi… ?@thiefaine_t @psg @k.mbappe @cavaniofficial21

A post shared by Nicolas Mahut (@nicomahut) on Mar 23, 2020 at 5:59am PDT

For more information, visit @nicomahut and @gamersducoeur on Instagram.

The past 15 months have not been easy on court for two-time Grand Slam finalist and former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson, who has been limited to eight tournaments during that stretch due to injuries. But off court, it has been a special time for the South African star.

On 27 September 2019, his wife Kelsey Anderson gave birth to their first child, Keira.

“Obviously it’s been a little bit different… last year I was injured and didn’t play the rest of the year and then this season I only played a few events, and then I had surgery and then everything was shut down with the virus,” Anderson told ATPTour.com. “I haven’t really experienced full life as a dad and competing like I usually have. On the plus side, it has been nice spending time at home [in Florida] and just having more of a family life and being able to spend more time with her and my wife at home.”

Anderson has greatly enjoyed being a father, and he has taken pleasure in being able to watch Keira grow in the nearly six months since her birth.

“I think what I’m most fascinated by is just watching her, even though it’s so small, little leaps or learning curves, just watching her learn things. I think that’s been nice, where I’ve been able to spend quite a bit of time with her for basic things,” Anderson said. “There’s still so much to come, but even just listening to the baby talk and her grasping for things, being able to move around a little bit [has been great]. She hasn’t started sitting yet, but just being able to move around, recognising her smiling at you, just stuff like that. I feel like her just growing and learning has been the most amazing part of it for me.”

Anderson hasn’t had much time travelling with his daughter because of his injuries and the ATP Tour’s suspension due to coronavirus concerns. But he did compete this year at the ATP Cup, the Australian Open and the New York Open, giving him a look into what is to come.

“Obviously the time with her has been great and gives me a different perspective on life and different responsibilities and everything that comes with that,” Anderson said. “But at the same time, there’s still a lot I want to achieve on the tennis court, which I’ve pursued my whole life. So I’d say that ambition is still there.

“But definitely in Australia, when I had that first sort of [experience], I feel like there’s a bit more of a separation between what you do on the tennis court, on-site, and when you get back home.”

Anderson’s wife, Kelsey, has long been visible in his corner, cheering him on during his biggest matches. That has been the same as they have become first-time parents.

“My wife’s been amazing through this whole process, [being] understanding just at home and with me still training and recovering from two surgeries while she was first pregnant, and then giving birth and then having her here, allowing me to do some of the things that I need to do,” Anderson said. “For the most part I think we’ve been really lucky, Keira’s been a very easygoing baby and well-natured for the most part. She’s had a couple things that have made things a little tougher, but all in all, so far we’ve really enjoyed this.”

Fans may notice that the first name of each member of the Anderson family — Kevin, Kelsey and Keira — begins with a ‘K’, but not for the reason you might expect.

“[Keira] is just a name that we have always liked. It was on the short list, one that I think we were leaning towards. Funnily enough when we told my mother about it, from a young age, she always knew that if she had a boy she would name the boy Kevin and the girl Keira, which we thought was interesting,” Anderson said. “It was like a sign, so that’s when we decided that was the name we were going to give her.”

When some ATP Tour players welcome a child into their family, they become more motivated to one day showcase their on-court skills when their child is old enough to understand what they do for a living.

“It’d be great if I’m still playing in four, five years’ time when hopefully Keira will be old enough to remember that time on court. Some of that is out of my control. It would be nice, but that’s something that’s many years down the road, so it’s not something I’m thinking about too much at this point,” Anderson said. “I’d say I’m probably more focussed on enjoying her each step as it comes.”

Has Keira started following in her father’s footsteps yet?

“She’s got a toy tennis racquet, but not a real racquet just yet,” Anderson said, cracking a laugh.