“Those guys are potentially Grand Slam winners”: Patrick Mouratoglou names six young stars ready to challenge Alcaraz and Sinner
ATPThursday, 20 August 2026 at 22:30
Patrick Mouratoglou believes the generation behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is ready to challenge the established order, with several young players now possessing the level required to win a Grand Slam. His assessment comes at an intriguing moment for men's tennis, with Alcaraz confirmed to make his long-awaited return at the US Open while Sinner's participation in New York remains uncertain.
Alcaraz will return to competition after more than four months away because of a wrist injury, having missed Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the North American hard-court swing. The Spaniard remains the defending champion in New York, while Sinner is still working toward recovering from the knee problem that forced him out of Cincinnati.
Their status only adds another layer to a tournament that already offers an unusually open field behind the two dominant figures of recent years. Alcaraz and Sinner have occupied the center of the Grand Slam picture for several seasons, but a group of younger players is steadily gaining the experience and results needed to challenge them.
For Mouratoglou, that development has created a level of uncertainty rarely seen in recent men's tennis. The former Serena Williams coach believes the US Open could become a particularly important stage for that next generation to show how close it has come to the established elite.
Mouratoglou identifies the next Grand Slam contenders
Mouratoglou began by describing the broader change he sees in the men's game, pointing to the dominance that Alcaraz and Sinner have established at the biggest tournaments before explaining why he believes their position is no longer as secure as it once appeared.
“This US Open is probably one of the most interesting Grand Slams on the men's side for, I don't know how long,” Mouratoglou said. “The situation is unique. The absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for quite a long time, that makes this Grand Slam incredibly exciting.”
Alcaraz won his sixth Grand Slam title in New York, after defeating Jannik Sinner. It was the third consecutive Grand Slam final between the same two players.
While Alcaraz's return means he will now be part of the New York field, Mouratoglou's wider argument remains relevant. He sees an unusually deep group of young players capable of capitalizing whenever the established stars fail to produce their best tennis.
“We have had so much dominance for so long and suddenly there is kind of an emptiness, everything's possible,” he said. “There are a lot of young guys coming up.”
“You have Arthur Fils, Jakub Mensik, Ben Shelton, Jodar, Fonseca, Tien, those guys will have a chance if Alcaraz and Sinner are not at the level,” he said. “Those guys are potentially Grand Slam winners.”
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The list covers players who have already begun making an impact at different levels of the ATP Tour. Fils and Mensik have gained valuable experience against top opposition, Shelton has established himself as a major force on hard courts, while Fonseca, Tien and Jodar represent an even younger group rapidly moving into the spotlight.
Mouratoglou also believes the next generation will not be the only threat to the established hierarchy. Novak Djokovic remains a major Grand Slam contender, while Alexander Zverev has already converted his consistency at the biggest tournaments into a maiden major title.
“Then you have also Novak,” Mouratoglou said. “Besides Alcaraz and Sinner in Grand Slams, he's been almost unbeatable the last year. Then you have Zverev, who won his first Grand Slam and played the final of a second Grand Slam straight away.”
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That combination is what makes the upcoming US Open particularly difficult to predict. Alcaraz will attempt to return immediately to the level that made him champion last year, Sinner's participation remains a question, Djokovic continues to defy expectations and Zverev arrives as an established Grand Slam champion.
“There is so much uncertainty, so many possibilities for a lot of players, and that makes this Grand Slam quite unique,” Mouratoglou concluded. “We haven't had that for so long.”
The US Open may ultimately produce another chapter in the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry. But if Mouratoglou is right, the bigger story could be the number of players now positioning themselves to challenge the two men who have dominated the Grand Slam landscape.
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Mouratoglou's choices as dark horses at 2026 US Open
| Player | Current ranking | Best Grand Slam run |
| Ben Shelton | No. 6 | Semifinals (US Open 2023, Australian Open 2025) |
| Rafael Jodar | No. 11 | Quarterfinals (Roland Garros 2026) |
| Learner Tien | No. 12 | Quarterfinals (Australian Open 2026) |
| Jakub Mensik | No. 16 | Semifinals (Roland Garros 2026) |
| Arthur Fils | No. 21 | Round of 16 (Australian Open 2025, Roland Garros 2025) |
| Joao Fonseca | No. 26 | Quarterfinals (Roland Garros 2026) |
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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