In the shadows of Alcaraz and Sinner, the search for a new order in tennis unfolds

The spotlight in men's tennis is held by these two young monarchs. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, armed with powerful forehands, relentless mobility, and wisdom beyond their age, have jointly set a new benchmark. They have not only secured multiple Grand Slam titles in succession but also reshaped the standards of contemporary men's tennis excellence. This raises a question on everyone’s mind: who will become the "third player" to stand alongside them?

Recently, renowned coach Mouratoglou emphasized that answering this question requires more than passion or occasional flashes of brilliance. The future champion must "possess all attributes: an outstanding forehand, backhand, serve, movement, and mental toughness." This demanding all-around formula is the new threshold set by Alcaraz and Sinner.

However, the flame of hope has not been extinguished. Across the vast landscape of the tour, a group of young names is emerging, carrying the future of tennis and revealing both the challenges and allure of climbing to the top. Mouratoglou pointed out several candidates in his mind: "A few names come to mind. Shelton, Fonseca, Rune, and Draper show us tennis’s bright future, but also highlight how tough the journey to the summit really is."

Shelton: The American fusion of raw power and unrefined gem

Shelton possesses one of the most enviable talents in the sport: a cannon-like serve and a fierce attacking heart like a lion. His forehand is violent and decisive, with sharp instincts at the net. His mental resilience, displayed in team events like the Davis Cup, reveals star potential. Yet, his challenges are clear. His backhand still needs more consistency and aggression, his movement, though strong, lags behind the top two, and his tactical variety is limited, sometimes falling into a one-dimensional power game. He is a sharply edged, highly promising raw gem that requires finer polishing to turn talent into sustained victories.

Rune: The genius’s shadow and inner battle

If anyone comes closest to the "all-around" standard technically, Danish star Rune is undoubtedly a leading candidate. His forehand and backhand deliver piercing shots, his movement is excellent, and his feel for the game is top-tier. He has already proven he can defeat giants in major tournaments. But what often holds Rune back is the mental struggle lingering after the score resets to zero. Emotional fluctuations and tense interactions with his team (including his mother) on the sidelines sometimes directly affect his performance. He has all the technical tools to reach the summit, but managing his inner Everest will be key to maintaining a top-level status.

Draper: The sealed British force

A left-hander with a powerful serve and forehand, combined with excellent physical traits, Draper’s profile is nearly perfect. He has shown the ability to beat top players and plays with great pressure. However, his story remains overshadowed by a massive "what if": health. Frequent injuries have interrupted his upward momentum, preventing him from building consistent match experience and confidence. Draper faces the purest and harshest challenge: he needs a body capable of enduring the intensity of elite competition. If he stays healthy, he can disrupt any tournament’s dynamics.

Fonseca: The mysterious challenger from the future

Compared to the others, young Brazilian Fonseca may be less known, but his emergence represents tennis’s most exciting trait: the unknown. His imaginative and explosive shots captivate, as if bringing a new tennis philosophy. However, the gap from brilliance to consistency is one of the widest in the world. He needs more time on tour to develop, strengthen his physical resilience, and learn to maintain focus throughout the marathon of the season. He is a light of the future, but the path ahead requires steady, step-by-step progress.

Mouratoglou’s list precisely outlines tennis’s future shape. Shelton, Rune, Draper, Fonseca… each holds a piece of the puzzle, yet none have assembled all the fragments.

The throne of the "third player" is not vacant; it must be forged on the court through blood, sweat, and wisdom. It tests not only skill but also mental toughness, physical endurance, and the intelligence to learn. Under the high wall erected by Alcaraz and Sinner, every challenger must undergo a comprehensive evolution.

This quest for the "third player" is itself part of tennis’s charm. It signals the dawn of a new, fiercely competitive, and suspenseful golden era. We do not yet know who the final answer will be, but what is certain is that this journey to find that answer will be grand and thrilling. Tennis’s future is being written by these young players bravely advancing through the thorns.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)