WITH so much going on in the world and much focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, it is worth taking a step back and remembering that the future of international sport will return, and when it does, there will be plenty of talented youngsters ready to make their mark. On the ATP Tour there are two players who are ranked inside the top 100 and one on the outskirts who were born this century (2000 or later) and have already had a big impact on the Tour.

#20 Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada)

The 19-year-old Canadian is everywhere at the moment, making him a mainstay in and around the top 20 for almost a year now, having first entered the top 30 in April 2019 and wavering between the ranks of 17 to 23 since then, with little players able to knock him off his perch. While Auger-Aliassime does not yet have a career title to his name, so far unlucky on the circuit and in 2020 alone falling to Gael Monfils and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Rotterdam and Marseille finals respectively, it is more his consistency that really needs to improve with the talented Canadian having a tough time against those with a similar ranking. With a massive 2019 under his belt, Auger-Aliassime will hope to continue in a similar manner once play returns to continue working his way up the rankings and achieve that elusive maiden title.

#73 Jannik Sinner (Italy)

Sinner won the ATP Next Gen Finals title in 2019, defeating fellow young talent in Australian Alex de Minaur so has more than proven he can take on quality competition, it is just about bringing a little more consistency to his game. At only 18-years-old he has plenty left in the tank to continue improving and while he currently ranks at 73rd in the world, Sinner hit a career high 68th in February, and ended 2019 as the youngest player in the top 300. He earned his first Grand Slam main draw victory at the 2020 Australian Open but was defeated in the second round. Sinner has the scope for real improvement upon the return of play and will look to continue on his impressive form.

#114 Thiago Seyboth Wild (Brazil)

The 20-year-old Brazilian Seyboth Wild may not rank inside the top 100 yet but has plenty of potential after rocketing up 69 ranks following his maiden title in February/March of 2020, defeating second seed Norwegian Casper Ruud at the Chile Open in Santiago. Seyboth Wild finds himself most at home on clay or outdoor courts and has proved a tough competitor when it comes to tiebreaks, making him a real up-and-comer on the ATP Tour with his never-say-die attitude and constant pressure. With plenty of room to improve and the one title already under his belt for 2020, Seyboth Wild is a real player to watch in the coming years.