There is one American male tennis player still hanging on to a top ten spot and that is Taylor Fritz at number ten. At twenty-six years old, Fritz has been a professional for approximately eight years. It was not his most captivating season but any time you can win a title it makes it a good season. Fritz won the Atlanta and Delray Beach titles. He will have to step it up a bit in the 2024 season if he has plans to win a major title.
Embed from Getty ImagesAmerican Male Tennis Player: Tommy Paul
Just below Fritz is Tommy Paul at number thirteen. This guy is a real enigma. When you watch him play you ask two questions: Why does he not have more titles? and Does he really care? He has all the shots and appears physically fit, and yet some of his losses have been head scratchers. He has been on tour as long as Fritz but just has not quite stepped up his game enough when it matters. Paul has one title to his name, which is the 2021 Stockholm title. What has he been doing since? He is only twenty-six, but when you consider that he has settled into a groove, one wonders if he can break that mold. Perhaps 2024 will be his breakout season.
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer Top Ten American Male: Frances Tiafoe
Then we have Frances Tiafoe at number sixteen. He also has not lived up to his potential. Again, he has also been on tour as long as Fritz. This season Tiafoe won two of his three ATP titles. However, he has yet to win that big title and again like his compadres, time is of the essence. A positive for Tiafoe is that he spent a stint in the top ten this season, so he knows what it takes to play at the highest level.
The problem for these guys is maintaining that level of play consistently. This new crop of players just seems to lack the desire and discipline of previous eras. There was a certain dominance that we do not see today. In fact, the only player who delivers consistently is Novak Djokovic and shocker, he is from the previous era (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray).
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Guy On Tour: Ben Shelton
Finally, we have Ben Shelton at number seventeen. This may come as a surprise to many people, but Shelton has really impressed me with his passion. He only turned professional last season and he already has made some serious noise on tour. In 2023 he got to his first final and he won his first title. I am excited to see what he can deliver in 2024. Is it too soon to say he can walk away with a big title? I say why not. If he stays healthy and keep his head in the game, he can do it.
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