Top 3 male players likely to win first Grand Slam in 2025
Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz made Grand Slam finals in 2024, but failed on the final hurdle to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
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Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud (via X)
The 2024 season was dominated by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in Grand Slam events. The duo prevented players like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz from winning their first Grand Slam titles. They also stopped Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev from adding to their Grand Slam tallies.
In 2025, Sinner and Alcaraz are expected to continue their dominance. However, tennis is unpredictable, and the sports world rarely follows a set script. A potential ban for Sinner might create opportunities for other players to make a breakthrough in Grand Slam tournaments.
With Sinner’s future uncertain and Alcaraz showing inconsistencies in the second half of the season, other players might see a chance to capitalize. This could be a turning point for those waiting to make their mark in major events. Here are three players who are expected to break through in Grand Slam tournaments during the 2025 season.
1) Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev had a remarkable 2024 season, finishing at a career-high World No. 2 for the first time. It is surprising that a player without a Grand Slam title ended the season ranked higher than Carlos Alcaraz, who won two majors and finished as World No. 3. However, Zverev’s ranking was largely due to his consistency throughout the year.
In 2024, Zverev claimed two Masters 1000 titles, winning in Rome and Paris. Despite these achievements, he failed to silence critics who question his inability to secure a breakthrough in Grand Slam tournaments.
His best Grand Slam result of the year came at Roland Garros, where he reached the final. He led Alcaraz by two sets to one but ultimately lost in a grueling five-set match. This marked his second Grand Slam final defeat, following his loss to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final.
Zverev has come agonizingly close to Grand Slam glory on multiple occasions. With Alcaraz struggling with inconsistencies and fitness issues and Jannik Sinner‘s future uncertain, the stage might be set for the two-time ATP Finals champion to finally win his first major title.
2) Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz might have had the best season by an American this century if not for Jannik Sinner competing at the same level. The World No. 4 enjoyed his career-best season, reaching his highest-ever ranking.
However, like Alexander Zverev, he fell short in the most crucial moments. The tall American reached the US Open final, becoming the first U.S. male player since Andy Roddick in 2006 to achieve this milestone.
In addition, he became the first American since James Blake in 2006 to qualify for the ATP Finals. Unfortunately, Fritz lost in the finals of both events to Sinner.
If anyone stands to benefit from the potential suspension of Sinner in 2025, it is Fritz. The Italian was his biggest obstacle on the biggest stages in 2024. With Sinner possibly out of the picture, Fritz’s chances of winning his first Grand Slam title look much brighter.
3) Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud made significant progress in 2024, achieving several milestones. While he did not make a third consecutive Roland Garros final, he accomplished many other remarkable feats this season.
Ruud reached his first Masters 1000 final at Monte Carlo, where he defeated Novak Djokovic for the first time in his career. He followed this up by winning his first ATP 500 title in Barcelona just a week later.
The Norwegian has played three Grand Slam finals in his career, with two of them at Roland Garros. On clay, few players have matched his consistency over the years.
Even Jannik Sinner, the current World No. 1, has yet to surpass Ruud’s numbers on clay. If the Norwegian is to win his first Grand Slam title, Roland Garros appears to be his best opportunity. However, he will need to bring his usual confidence on clay when facing players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
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Fahad Hamid
(624 Articles Published)