#3 Nick Kyrgios
Although he has come to notoriety for his attitude and behaviour both on and off court, few will deny the immense talent of the Australian youngster. The former World No. 1 Juniors player has a juniors Grand Slam title to his name, winning the 2013 Australian Open juniors title at 18 years old.
Only two years ago, Kyrgios won his first two Challenger titles in quick succesion in 2014, which was his annus mirabilis. Only 19-years-old, Kyrgios pulled off a victory over Rafael Nadal on his Wimbledon debut in 2014.
He ended that year on a high, the 2nd best ranked Australian player behind the youngest ever World No.1 in tennis history – Lleyton Hewitt.
2015 saw Kyrgios defeat yet another giant, and one he has mentioned as one of his idols, iconic former No. 1 Roger Federer, on the hardcourts of the Miami Masters.
He has been rising quickly this year, winning the first ATP title of his career at France’s Open 13; a tournament he won without a single break of serve.
The youngster has had a strong rivalry going with World No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, and Borna Coric, who has been described as ‘Baby Djokovic’ for his strong baseline play and serve.
Kyrgios tested Rafael Nadal at the Rome Masters this year, played on the Spaniard’s favourite surface – clay, and scalping a set off the former No. 1.
He exited the French Open in 2016 in the Round of 32 after a straight-set loss to French player Richard Gasquet, but came back to again tax recurrent rival Milos Raonic at the Queen’s Club Championships, a grasscourt tournament ahead of Wimbledon, scalping a set off the Canadian.
If he can show consistency, Kyrgios, who is already the youngest player in the ATP Top 20, can definitely make the top 5 in the near future, and given his youth and fitness, should be able to sustain his form.
