Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz was the only tennis player to feature in Bleacher Report’s prestigious “25 Best Athletes of the Next 25 Years” list, with notable absences of stars like Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff.
Bleacher Report selected athletes from various sports, including representatives from the NFL, NBA, MLB, and La Liga, but only one from the ATP Tour and none from the WTA.
“A few established stars were fair game for inclusion, as they are of an age and play a position that give them a reasonable chance of being an A-lister for at least the next 10 years,” the ranking introduction noted. “Essentially: Who has a good shot of making our most influential figures list when future B/R does this exercise in 2050?”
Alcaraz, 21, was placed 11th on the list, with the publication highlighting some of his key achievements so far. He made his Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2021 Australian Open at the age of 17 and won his first major title at the 2022 US Open, reaching World No. 1 at just 19.
In 2023, Alcaraz captured the Wimbledon title, while in 2024, he achieved the rare "Channel Slam," winning back-to-back titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He also claimed a silver medal at the Olympic Games, falling to Novak Djokovic in the final.
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Other athletes featured on the “25 Best Athletes of the Next 25 Years” list included Juan Soto (MLB), Kylian Mbappé (La Liga), Jayden Daniels (NFL), Patrick Mahomes (NFL), Victor Wembanyama (NBA), and Caitlin Clark (WNBA).
The World No. 3 is now preparing for the Australian Open, which begins in two weeks and will mark his first tournament of the year. Alcaraz, the third seed, aims to become the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam at just 21 years old. The current record belongs to Rafael Nadal, who achieved it at the age of 24.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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