Atmane and other men to watch in 2026

Every tennis season produces players who fly up the rankings. Some might be expected while others are surprises.

Next Gen stars Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien, for example, soared in 2025. Who could make big jumps in 2026? Here are a few candidates, who vary in their tour level experience. (Note: To be considered, their career highs can’t be inside the Top 50)

Terence Atmane (France, No. 63):

Carlos Alcaraz is fairly unique but comparing their styles, Terence Atmane isn’t a million miles away from the Spaniard. Maybe it’s why Jannik Sinner — who said he wanted to tweak his game to combat Alcaraz after he lost the US Open final to his main rival — experimented heavily when he met the Frenchman in Beijing in late September. Showing his immense ability, Atmane grabbed a set off Sinner in China and also played him tough during his breakthrough at the Cincinnati Masters.

He’ll have to become more consistent to keep on climbing, though. Atmane suffered a pair of five-match losing streaks and had another four-match skid. If his IQ is anything to go by — at a genius like 158 — Atmane will figure it out.

Alexander Blockx (Belgium, No. 116):

Belgian men’s tennis trended upward in 2025 thanks to Zizou Bergs, Raphael Collignon, Gilles Arnaud Bailly — and Alexander Blockx. Bailly and Blockx are both 20, friends and former junior No. 1s who collected their first ATP wins in 2025.

At 6-foot-4, Blockx packs a punch — his serve speed can get to around 130 miles per hour — but also covers the court well. He finished 2025 with a bang, landing in the final of the Next Gen Finals (losing to Tien). A Top 100 debut, at least, seems like a sure thing for Blockx in 2026.

Bu Yunchaokete (China, No. 122):

Bu Yunchaokete might best be remembered for his hot spell in 2024, reaching the semifinals on home soil back to back in Hangzhou and Beijing — beating the likes of Karen Khachanov, Lorenzo Musetti and Andrey Rublev along the way.

Backing up his career-changing 2024 proved to be a tough task. In 2025, Bu slumped to 13-27 and fell outside the Top 100. But a closer inspection reveals that a resurgent 2026 shouldn’t be ruled out. If the close matches he lost (going 5-18 in tiebreaks and 2-8 in deciding sets) start going his way, then expect a ranking spike indeed.

Eliot Spizzirri (USA, No. 90):

Eliot Spizzirri put in the miles in 2025, contesting 87 matches — and 36 deciding sets — at all levels. Was it worth it? The former college No. 1 from the University of Texas would probably say yes, since the 23-year-old broke into the Top 100 near the end of the season.

A steely competitor who likes to take the ball early, Spizzirri battled Montreal’s Félix Auger Aliassime hard during FAA’s title sprint in Brussels in October. He hails from Greenwich, CT, which was formerly the longtime home of one of tennis' all-time greats, Ivan Lendl.

Dani Merida (Spain, No. 165):

Who did Alcaraz train with as he prepared for the Cincinnati Masters and US Open, two tournaments he eventually won? Dani Merida, who is one year younger at 21. The two faced off as kids.

Merida made strides in 2025 (like younger countrymen Martin Landaluce and Rafael Jodar), making his first Challenger final, later winning his first one and competing in Slam qualifying for the first time at the US Open. His ball speed bears a resemblance to Alcaraz and he doesn’t mind a drop shot, either.

The ATP's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at IGA Stadium. Click here for information about tickets.

Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne