Men’s 2012 Up and Comers—Part 1

Written by: Staff on 24th December 2011

Men’s 2012 Up and Comers—Part 1 |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

This is part 1 of a 2 part article on 8 players to watch out for in 2012. These players showed great improvements during the 2011 season and show even more promise for the upcoming season. They range from the 70’s to 20’s in rankings, and although they are not top players now, surely in time many of these players will make it to the top ranks of tennis.

I begin with current No. 79, Ryan Harrison. The 19 year old American, Ryan Harrison, turned pro in 2007 and many anticipate he will one day be amongst the top American players like John McEnroe and Pete Sampras. Harrison is primarily a singles player, holding no singles titles and having reached no singles finals. However, during 2011 he did win the doubles title at the ATP 250 tournament in Newport with Matthew Ebden. Harrison won a total of 14 matches to a loss of 19 during the 2011 season, which isn’t bad for the nineteen year old whose domineering personality and sturdy work ethic will soon aid his rise in 2012.

At No. 76 the twenty year old Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria shows promise for 2012 with his powerful forehand and clean talent. Dimitrov holds no titles but made it to the doubles finals at the AEGON ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Eastbourne. He and his teammate, Andreas Seppi, defeated the IndoPak Express team in the quarterfinals 7-5, 6-3. Dimitrov and Seppi lost the title to Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 6-3, 6-3 in the final. Within the next few years Dimitrov will surely break the top 10.

The Dutchman, Robin Haase is the oldest of these up and comers at the age of twenty-four. Haase turned pro in 2005, and holds the current ranking of No.45. During the 2011 season Haase won his first singles ATP 250 tournament, the bet-at-home Cup Kitzbühel. Earlier in the year Haase won his first doubles title alongside his teammate, Ken Skupski, at the Open 13 ATP 250 tournament in Marseille. Haase is primarily a singles player defined by his smooth service motion and herculean groundstrokes. He has defeated players such as: Marcos Baghdatis, Fernando Verdasco, and Tomas Berdych, as well as giving top contenders like Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick loads of trouble. There is no doubt he will bring top players loads more in 2012.

The last player on this list, Bernard Tomic, is among the youngest players at age nineteen, currently holding the No.42 rank. Tomic hits big when the time is right and enjoys making the more out of the ordinary shots quite often. The Australian turned pro in 2008 and currently holds no titles and is yet to arrive at any finals. His playing style has been likened to that of Andy Murray, so surely in the next two or three years Tomic will break the top 20. Keep posted to learn more about the final four male singles up and comers for 2012.

Topics: Up And Comers