No. 10. Jack Draper
The Britain works hard when he practices and in the matches. He is super consistent, and he can change it up, too. But the 23-year-old can back off, deep in the third or fifth sets. He looked terrific after he won at Indian Wells, but in the fall, he couldn’t play well because he got hurt during the summer. Now he looks pretty good, but he must be patient. If he can stay healthy, most of the time, he can stay in the top 10, or even better.
No. 9. Ben Shelton
The American had a very good year, not perfect, during the year. But his consistent much more real. His forehand and his backhand were more stable, as when he flattened them out, rather than with too much spin. His serve is gigantic, and he loves to cheer after he grabs a winner. But this young player still has much to improve at the net and with his return. If he does, he can go into the top 5 or even better.
No. 8. Lorenzo Musetti
The 23-year-old Italian, played stellar on the clay, beating so many good players, going deep in Monte-Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros. He didn’t win it, but at least he was smart. He couldn’t beat Carlos Alcaraz a few times. On the hardcourts, he played week after week, and he had some fine events, but he also lost too early. Yes, his forehand and his backhand are very good, but he has to be more combative if he wants to beat the top players. How about on the green grass?
No. 7. Alex De Minaur
The Aussie had a solid season and as he used his consistent groundstrokes. Yes, he might not be highly powerful, but he can run side to side. Jannik Sinner beat him three times in 2025, as the Italian hits the heck of the ball. De Minaur likes to get set before he goes for it. He doesn’t have the power to keep the big hitters from overpowering him early. He will try to add another new shots, and if he does, he will stay there in the top 10. But to win a Grand Slam for the first time? I am not sure.
No. 6. Taylor Fritz
Over the past few years, the San Diego-based American played tremendously. Yes, he can smash the ball, with this huge forehand and his backhand, and also, he can rally for a long time. Of course, it was a real opportunity at the 2025 US Open, but Sinner was too much for him. Fritz can be happy, after he won, but when he loses, and then he becomes displeased. He is pretty good at the net, and when he returns, he looks decent, but he is not consistent enough. The good thing is that he can be very confident on the court, and he will think that if he playing very well, he can grab it. But not yet. However, if he can improve his volley and at the net, he will have a shot at the Aussie Open and the US Open. We think.