As the new year approaches, five young players who could make a significant impact on the ATP Tour in 2026.

Nicolai Budkov Kjaer
Scandinavian tennis rarely produces household names, but 19-year-old Norwegian Nicolai Budkov Kjaer could be an exception. The 2024 Wimbledon boys’ champion claimed four Challenger titles in 2025—Glasgow, Tampere, Astana, and Mouilleron-le-Captif—boosting his ranking from outside the Top 300 to a career-high No. 136.

Managed by his father, Alexander Kjaer, former CEO of the Norwegian Tennis Federation, Budkov Kjaer possesses a powerful forehand and a big serve, drawing comparisons to Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill’s description of a “hammer.” While his backhand needs consistency, his mental toughness and ability to close matches suggest he could break into the top 50 next season and possibly aim for the top 10 in the future.

Dino Prizmic
With Novak Djokovic nearing the twilight of his career, the next Balkan star may be on the horizon. Croatian Dino Prizmic, 20, already challenged Djokovic in a four-hour first-round thriller at the 2025 Australian Open, earning praise from the Serbian legend, who said, “It was like playing myself in the mirror.”

Prizmic’s 31-13 record across all levels in 2025 propelled him from outside the Top 200 to No. 115, powered by strong performances on clay and two Challenger titles. Known for aggressive baseline play, heavy topspin, and high tennis IQ, Prizmic is poised to gain more ATP experience and become a recognizable name on the tour.

Justin Engel
Germany’s 18-year-old Justin Engel has momentum on his side after being called up to replace Jakub Mensik at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. Engel became the youngest Challenger champion of 2025 at 18 years and 25 days in Hamburg, and the first player born in 2007 or later to win an ATP Tour match when he defeated Coleman Wong in Almaty.

Engel’s game features aggressive baseline play, a powerful serve, and a strong backhand, complemented by impressive mental toughness and athleticism. Inspired by Nadal and Djokovic, he seeks to control rallies with power and consistency, positioning him for a breakthrough in 2026.

Eliot Spizzirri
American Eliot Spizzirri, 23, has jumped over 600 spots in the rankings in just 10 months—a testament to his all-around game and versatility. He demonstrated his ATP potential by reaching the Brussels quarter-finals, defeating Alexander Blockx, Pedro Martinez, and Botic van de Zandschulp, before narrowly losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime.

After wrist surgery in 2021, Spizzirri adapted his game, improving his serve and ability to finish points from the baseline. Expect him to continue his rise, potentially breaking into the top 75—or even the top 50—in the near future.

Learner Tien
Following in the footsteps of his coach Michael Chang, Learner Tien is aiming high. Chang, who became the youngest male Grand Slam champion at the 1989 French Open, joined Tien’s team in July 2025, helping refine his all-court game.

Tien rose from No. 122 to a career-high No. 28 in 2025, highlighted by a run from qualifying to the fourth round of the Australian Open—the youngest to do so on hard courts since Nadal in 2005. He then captured his first ATP title in Metz, defeating Cameron Norrie and becoming the first American teen to win a tour-level event since Andy Roddick in 2002.