ATP Race 2025: Taylor Fritz leads Top 10; Opelka, Lehecka and Fonseca make waves

Tuesday, 07 January 2025 at 01:00

After the first week of competition on the tour, a new ATP Race begins with Taylor Fritz at the helm following his title win at the United Cup. The American defeated Hubert Hurkacz in the final and secured the decisive point for the USA to defend the title they won in 2023.

Fritz finished the tournament with 4 wins and a loss (to Felix Auger-Aliassime), earning a total of 295 points, putting him at the top after the first week. The start of the season began with an unprecedented 'top-10,' at least in terms of the first tournaments played, where Fritz is positioned at the top.

Read also

Nick Kyrgios returns to Davis Cup: Lleyton Hewitt’s bold call amid Cruz-Sinner controversy

Further back, tied for second place, are ATP 250 champions Jiri Lehecka (Brisbane International) and Alexandre Muller (Hong Kong Open), completing the top three so far. In fourth place, there is another tie between ATP 250 finalists. Reilly Opelka and Kei Nishikori lost in their respective finals, earning 165 points each, putting them in the top-5.

Further down the list, rising stars are making a significant impact by accumulating important points ahead of the Australian Open. The 18-year-old Joao Fonseca claimed the title at the Canberra Challenger and has now secured 10 consecutive wins, including the Next Gen ATP Finals at the end of 2024. He currently has 147 points in the Live ATP Race and is ranked 6th.

Read also

“Suspension may be coming”: Former doubles legendary player casts doubt about Jannik Sinner’s future ahead of Australian Open

Similarly, 20-year-old American Ethan Quinn reached the final in Canberra—coming through qualifying—and sits just behind Fonseca with 144 points. Both will compete this week for a spot in the main draw of the Australian Open, starting in the qualifying round this Tuesday.

Italian Luca Nardi holds 8th place (138 points), with points from his Challenger title in Rovereto and his current campaign at the ASB Classic, where he advanced through qualifying and reached the round of 16 after defeating Flavio Cobolli (6-2, 1-1, w/o).

Closing out the top 10 is Lebanese Hady Habib (128 points), champion at the Temuco Challenger, and Japanese Shintaro Mochizuki, winner of the Nume Challenger (123 points).