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The Nitto ATP Finals held in Turin, Italy, will mark the end of a hectic tennis year. This will be the city where the biggest names and brands of the sport will be assembled in an annual event that is known to provide young players with a rare chance of toe-to-toe with the established names on a bigger stage.
It is usually the veterans that feature in the headlines, but the 2025 event has united a new breed of wanna-be stars who will not only be attending the event but also aim at getting the major chunks of bling. The tennis world has witnessed brave showings from some of these youngsters, and these performances are likely to be the top stories of September. Here are four names worth paying attention to as the Turin competition draws close.
Ben Shelton
The American has enjoyed a meteoric rise in college to emerge as a viable ATP power. He is strong on the serve, which makes him quite a decisive player. He has already displayed performances that make him a competitor as we draw closer to the end of the tennis calendar season. He created a lot of hype for the season with a deep Grand Slam run and a Masters style title that brought out his prowess of beating high-profile players in high-profile events. Shelton serves explosively and forehands with energy and a varying tact, which, in case he goes to Turin, makes him one of the most dangerous of the young players in the game. For tennis betting fans, daily tennis game predictions provide some high-quality odds for the underdogs, and Shelton offers the potential to cause an upset.
Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils of France is another young prospect: he is a sportive, aggressive, and cool-headed individual. A steady presence on the major stage and a NextGen superstar, Fils has had the privilege of translating his potential as a junior into ATP success and accumulating titles at the tour level, and delivering headliner performances that are capable of making him a player who can shake the pecking order. His low, piercing ground strokes, and on-court charisma are assets that would not only make him an easy spoiler, but also a favourite to the fans- the sort of player that would shine through Turin.
Jiri Lehecka
Jiri Lehecka is a multi-court player who has turned into a low-key threat in 2025. He has a title under his belt and has played in deep finals on both grass and hard courts against higher-ranked players. His long duration of consistency and an efficient arsenal of bases give him a very tough target, even to the best of the tour. The career pattern of Lehecka shows that he is open to the competition that requires playing in high-stakes situations, and on a good day, he can make some upsets with the round-robin of Turin.
Jakub Mensik
Jakub Mensik is a teenage sensation who boasts both serve and attacking instincts that have made him popular following a series of encouraging performances since the beginning of the year. His tour performance in Miami has been amazing, and it is evident that he is mature beyond his age. His serve is certainly one of the most dangerous weapons, and his fearless character in nature creates a very dangerous candidate. A young player such as Mensik, with this kind of combination, can even make it all the way to stardom, even in such a tight event like the ATP Finals.
Turin will be for the ‘Young and Fearless’
The round-robin format of the ATP Finals encourages players who are capable of delivering a series of consistent high-level performances in a pattern where emerging stars often shine since they are playing freely and without the pressure of expectations of others. The indoor hard courts in Turin favour sharp hitting of the ball and a dominant first serve, thus favouring the strong servers and aggressive baseline men who are now coming out of the circuit. One self-assured teenager or a new Top-20 competitor can turn a single upset into a semifinal appearance, and thus change the story of the tournament at quickly.
What to watch: Matchups, momentum, and match toughness
· Early encounters against top seeds: A close three-setter with a seasoned star can show that a player has come to the big stage ready.
· Pressure points: Break points need to be converted, and decisive tie breaks need to be executed at the ATP Finals, where the margins of winning and losing are thin.
· Physical management: A number of the younger players have had issues regarding injuries this season, and thus endurance and recovery will be very important through the demanding week in Turin.
Final thoughts
Turin is the place where careers may be defined. To most of the athletes mentioned above, taking part in the Nitto ATP Finals is in itself a milestone. To some of them, especially the young guns, it is a launchpad towards the next stage of their careers. The combination of skill, courage, and momentum for these young sportsmen gives a hint towards a tournament that not only delivered, but also acted as a stepping stone for a new generation.