The next generation of tennis superstars are here and wasting no time establishing their dominance on tour. Players like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Holger Rune, are among the many who are showing the world what tennis will look like as the sport is slowly witnessing a changing of the guard.
Each year, we get a couple of breakout stars added to that list of young players, who have the potential to become the tour’s next big thing—and this season, several have shown that they just may be flying under the radar, waiting for their big opportunity to breakthrough.
Here’s a look at some of the most promisng players under 22 years old who are looking to make a statement in the year’s final Grand Slam.
Mirra Andreeva
Age: 16
Mirra Andreeva has had one of the most impressive breakthrough seasons on tour this year. Just last year, she was participating in the junior girl’s tournament here in New York, where she made it to the quarterfinals, losing to eventual junior champion Alexandra Eala. Her last junior Grand Slam appearance came earlier this year in Australia where she lost a heartbreaker in the final to Alina Korneeva. Since then, Andreeva has been persistent, swiftly making her debut into the Top 100 and reaching a career high ranking of 62 at the end of July.
The 16-year-old has pulled off some stunning upsets this year, scoring wins over 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Magda Linette at the Madrid Open. She also eliminated two seeds, Anastasia Potapova and 2021 Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova during her deep run at Wimbledon.
Andreeva has the chance to continue her strong run at the US Open, as she takes on qualifierfier Olivia Gadecki in Round 1. If she wins, she can set up a rematch with a red-hot Coco Gauff in Round 2. Gauff won their only meeting earlier this year at Roland Garros in three sets.
Arthur Fils
Country: France
Age: 19
Arthur Fils is one of the few players from the next wave of promising male French athletes, behind the well-known French quad of Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Gilles Simon. Fils secured two Top 50 wins, two Top 20 wins, and one Top 10 win this year, including victories in Hamburg over Casper Ruud, in Lyon over Francisco Cerundolo and Brandon Nakashima, and in Monpellier over Roberto Bautista Agut and fellow countryman Gasquet. Along with those upsets, Fils made three semifinals (Montpellier, Marseille, Hamburg) and won his first pro tour title this year in Lyon. These results helped the 19-year-old earn his career high ranking earlier this month at No. 48.
Thanks to a successful year, the Frenchman will be making his main draw debut at the 2023 US Open. Fils is located in the bottom half of the draw and will need to bring out his best tennis as he faces the No. 24 seed Tallon Griekspoor in his Round 1 match. He could face either Jason Kubler or Matteo Arnaldi in Round 2 to set up a possible Round 3 match with No. 16 seed Cameron Norrie.
Jiri Lehecka
Country: Czech Republic
Age: 21
This up-and-coming Czech player has been quietly making his way up the rankings and through Slam draws, surprising many with his performances. The Next Gen 2022 finalist is looking to continue his push up the rankings and end his Grand Slam year on a high. In his second appearance in all four majors this year, Lehecka has made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time.
The 21-year-old has had a strong year overall with a record of 29-19 coming into New York and fresh off making the final in Winston-Salem, moving him to a career high ranking of No. 29 in the world as of Aug. 28. On the way, Lehecka picked up multiple wins over Top 100 players including notable wins over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Norrie, Andrey Rublev, Grigor Dimitrov, and Tommy Paul.
Lehecka is looking to secure his first US Open main draw win in his second appearance here in New York. In the bottom half of the draw, the young Czech will face Aslan Karatsev in Round 1 and could set up a Round 2 match with Roberto Carballes Baena, who completed the upset over the No. 4 seed, Holger Rune.
Luca Van Assche
Country: France
Age: 19
Luca Van Assche is another Frenchman who has ascended quickly up the rankings. The 19-year-old made several Slam debuts this year, and will be making his US Open main draw debut on Aug. 29.
The young player made one quarterfinal this year in Hamburg and despite that, has secured some upsets, including a win over three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka in Banja Luka and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Hamburg. Throughout the season, he's become known for being a fighter and pushing his opponents deep into sets, as well as final sets, showing his fitness and ability to go the distance.
Van Assche is coming into New York with a losing record, but does have an opportunity to start his maiden US Open campaign on a good note. But his first round opponent will be a tricky one as he faces the No. 24 seed Nicolas Jarry, who is coming off a strong year as well.
Linda Noskova
Country: Czech Republic
Age: 18
Linda Noskova may not have much name recognition yet, but definitely deserves to. The teen has a singles record of 20-14 heading into New York, and also made the quarterfinals of Warsaw and Lyon and finals of both Prague and Adelaide 1.
On top of that, she has recorded some notable wins around the tour over Daria Kasatkina, Victoria Azarenka, Ons Jabeur, and Garbiñe Muguruza, which all came in January. She's since climbed the rankings, making her Top 50 debut, as world No. 41 as of Aug. 28.
Although she is looking to win her first singles match in her second main draw appearance here, she already has recorded the biggest win in her young career in doubles last year beating Serena Williams and Venus Williams in the first round alongside fellow Czech player Lucie Havlickova.
In the bottom half of the draw, the Czech will play American Madison Brengle in Round 1, with the possibility of setting up a Round 2 match with 2022 finalist Jabeur.
