American tennis is in a strong place heading into 2025, with several players competing at the top of the ATP Tour.
After years of struggles, ATP tennis in the United States looks to finally be heading in the right direction once more.
Taylor Fritz reached the US Open final last September, becoming the first man to qualify for a Major final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
It was one of several achievements for the 27-year-old this year, as Fritz finished the year ranked fourth in the world, the highest year-end ranking for an American since James Blake in 2006.
He wasn’t the only American to impress in 2024, as Tommy Paul won two ATP titles, in Stockholm and at Queens.
After a strong year for American tennis, one of the country’s former stars has predicted who he thinks will be their top five players this year.
Steve Johnson doesn’t think Sebastian Korda will be one of the top five American ATP players in 2025
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, former Miami Open champion John Isner made a bold prediction about one of America’s top young stars.
“I’ll take Sebby Korda to get into the top 10,” he said.
“He is good and people know him.
“I like Sebby to get into the top 10.”
Isner’s co-host Steve Johnson disagreed as he worries about the American’s health.
“I think five guys are going to finish ahead of him,” he said.
“I think Seb [Korda] is having some wrist or elbow surgery in the off season so I don’t know how healthy is going to be to start the year, so I don’t know if he is going to have a full season of health.”
Johnson went on to pick five players that he thinks will finish 2025 ranked above Korda.
“My top five Americans are going to be [Taylor] Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and then Brandon Nakashima at five,” he said.
“He [Nakashima] plays every week and he’s methodical about his business, so he will have the numbers game to finish as the fifth highest American.
“I agree Sebby is an incredible tennis player, I just hope the surgery went well.”
Korda underwent elbow surgery in October but is expected to make his return in Adelaide next week.
Are there any other American ATP rising stars to watch out for in 2025?
Johnson didn’t take long to name five players who he thinks will rank higher than Korda this year, but are there any other names that could work their way into the conversation?
- Alex Michelsen (ATP Rank 41) – Age 20
- Learner Tien (ATP Rank 120) – Age 19
- Nishesh Basavareddy (ATP Rank 133) – Age 19
- Ethan Quinn (ATP Rank 169) – Age 20
The United States has several players under the age of 21 ranked inside the world’s top 200, with one name in particular looking to threaten in 2025.
Alex Michelsen played Novak Djokovic earlier this year at the Shanghai Masters, with the Serb impressed by the young American, who lost both sets 7-6.
“For a big guy he moves well, comes in, and he is not afraid to step it up and take it to his opponent,” said Djokovic.
“I’m glad to really be challenged by a young player and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Michelsen reached two American ATP finals in 2024, losing on both occasions, and will be looking to finally pick up a maiden title in the new year.
It remains to be seen who the top five ranked American ATP stars will be by the end of the 2025 season, but they will all no doubt look to get off on the right foot at the Australian Open which begins on January 12.
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