Stefanos Tsitsipas names the talented teenager on the ATP Tour who he’s tipping to do ‘big things’ in the next few years

Follow us on Google Discover

Stefanos Tsitsipas broke through on the ATP Tour back in 2019, quickly establishing himself as one of the tour’s best players.

The Greek star is one of tennis’ biggest names having won several trophies on the ATP Tour over the past seven years.

Tsitsipas won his first title at the Stockholm Open in 2018 and has since gone on to win a further ten titles, including the 2019 ATP Finals.

His most recent success came in Monaco, as Tsitsipas won his third Monte-Carlo Masters title earlier this year, taking down Casper Ruud in the final.

He did experience a drop in form this year, however, as he fell out of the world’s top ten, but Tsitsipas is determined to rise back up the rankings in the new year.

Tsitsipas won the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2018, and the ATP Finals in 2019, before reaching a career-high of third in the world and reaching a Grand Slam final in 2021.

A sensational breakthrough into the world’s elite, and one that he thinks could be replicated by one ATP youngster in the near future.

Stefanos Tsitsipas thinks fans will see ‘big things’ from Joao Fonseca in the next few years

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the 2025 United Cup, the Greek number one recalled his encounter with Next Gen ATP Finals champion Joao Fonseca from earlier this year.

“I was talking to him in Halle this year,” he said.

“We had a few hours together, he was someone I already saw potential in before he won the Next Gen Finals.

“I was sure he was going to be someone that is going to show big results in the upcoming months.”

Fonseca won the Next Gen ATP Finals earlier this month, finishing the tournament unbeaten despite entering the competition as the number eight seed.

Tsitsipas said that he is happy for Fonseca, and was impressed by just how focused the Brazilian was when they spoke.

“I’m happy for him, he’s a very humble kid,” he said.

“That’s what I liked about him, I had a conversation, and I really liked how down to earth he is, how determined and focused in regards to his goals he is.

“That is something that definitely stood out.”

The world number 11 went on to say what he expects from the 18-year-old in the coming years.

“I personally believe it’s just the beginning of him rising up in the rankings and showing his actual true potential,” said Tsitsipas.

“I think we’re going to see big things from him in the next few years, as long as he stays the same way he is now.

“I see no reason he would under-deliver.”

What did Stefanos Tsitsipas and the other five Next Gen ATP Finals winners achieve the year after their title?

Winning the Next Gen ATP Finals often acts as a springboard for the young talent on the ATP Tour to go on and achieve great things in the years that follow.

Tsitsipas was a great example of this, winning the ATP Finals just 12 months on from his triumph at the Next Gen Finals.

Fonseca will be hoping to replicate that success in 2025, but how often do players make a quick transition to the top of men’s tennis?

The Brazilian will hope to buck the trend of the last two champions at the event, who struggled in the year following their title.

If he can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz, however, he will be more than pleased.

The 18-year-old is yet to appear in a Grand Slam main draw, having reached the third round of qualifying at the US Open earlier this year, but will be hoping to finally make his debut at the Australian Open next month.

Qualifying for the 2025 Australian Open featuring Fonseca is set to begin on January 9.