Top 5 Breakthrough players of the 2021 season- Men’s Singles

2021 saw the rise of new talent in tennis and gave opportunities to those who didn’t have them previously. A lot of young players made their breakthrough this year and marked their places on the tennis radar. Here are the top 5 breakthrough players of the 2021 season!

5. Hubert Hurkacz

Hubert Hurkacz is a 24 years old Polish professional tennis player who achieved the biggest achievements of his career in 2021. Although he had claimed the 29th ranking in the world in 2020, he had lost in the first round of the French Open 2020, at his Grand Slam debut, and only had 1 ATP title.

In 2021, he reached the Wimbledon semifinals after achieving historic wins over Diego Schwartzman, Daniil Medvedev, and Roger Federer- some of the biggest names in tennis. He also won his first Masters 1000 title and claimed the no.9 spot in rankings- becoming the highest-rated Polish player in history. With 4 ATP titles to his name now, his career has picked up a fast pace going into 2022.

4. Sebastian Korda

Sebastian Korda is an American professional tennis player 21 years of age. He is the son of former world no.2 Petr Korda and Mother Regina who reached as high as world no.26. Korda’s 2020 year-end ranking was no.118 in the world with no ATP titles to his name.

Korda’s career had a major breakthrough in 2021 and he shot through the rankings and reached as high as world no.38. He won his first ATP title at the Emilia-Romagna Open (ATP 250). He also reached the 4th round in the Wimbledon Championships.

Korda finally got the recognition he deserves and is ambitious going into the next year.

3. Aslan Karatsev

Aslan Karatsev is a Russian professional tennis player 28 years of age. He did not play a lot professionally until 2021 due to injuries and a lack of good coaching opportunities. He had a career-high ranking of world no.116.

He made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open 2021 and became the first person in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal on their debut. He also won a silver Olympic medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He also won his first ATP singles title (ATP 500).

2. Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz is a Spanish professional tennis player who is 18 years old. He had debuted in 2020 in the Rio Open but did not win any title. He had the highest ranking of world no.136 in 2020.

In 2021, won many big matches and on 1 November 2021, became the youngest player in the top 35 ranks, being the 32nd. He also won his first ATP title (ATP 250). Alcaraz made a name for himself at such a young age and boosted his career going into 2022.

1. Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner is an Italian professional tennis player who is 20 years old. He had debuted in 2020 and made it to the quarterfinal of the French Open 2020 and also won the Sofia Open at the end of 2020, but that had been it for his great performances.

In 2021, He reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Miami Open, won his first ATP 500 singles and doubles title, and reached a historic career-high ranking of world no.9 on 1 November 2021, and is the youngest player to be rated in the top 10. He became the youngest player to hold 5 ATP titles since 19-year-old Djokovic.

2021 really gave a massive push to his career and he became one of the biggest names in tennis.