While plenty of young American talent continues to rise up the ATP rankings, Michael Mmoh is using both past and present idols to help inspire his own budding career.

The 18-year-old broke into the Top 200 in 2016 with a fourth career International Tennis Federation Pro Circuit Futures title and his first ATP Challenger crown.

Advertising

"I'm really excited for this upcoming year—a lot of big opportunities," Mmoh said. "Starting off the year at the Australian Open is huge for me. I'm in my second Grand Slam."

Mmoh earned his first major wild card this past summer by winning the USTA 18s Boys' National Championship. (He lost to Jeremy Chardy, 4-6, 4-6, 1-6, in the first round of the U.S. Open.) He secured a main-draw spot in Melbourne by winning the USTA Pro Circuit's Australian Open Wild Card Challenge.

Mmoh hasn't had to look far for extra motivation. His father, Tony—a Nigerian-born American—reached as high as No. 105 in 1987, and represented Nigeria at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

"He got me into tennis," Mmoh said. "He never officially coached me. He's always been overseeing me; always gives me tips when I need them, when I'm down and out, all that jazz."

Michael Mmoh
inspired by father,
Andy Roddick

Michael Mmoh inspired by father, Andy Roddick

Mmoh was born in Saudi Arabia, but his family resettled in America when he was 12, and he has trained at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. since the age of 13.

Along with looking up to his father, Mmoh grew up idolizing Andy Roddick, who happens to be America's last male Grand Slam champion.

"I've just always loved his persona, and the way he carried himself, especially now," Mmoh said. "I have great respect for the way he played. He's a very intelligent tennis player. He knew what he was doing out there on the court, which I always respect because that's what I like to do out there too."

Mmoh also likens his game to Gael Monfils', and current world No. 1 Andy Murray's. The teenager has already showed off his athleticism, making a number of highlight reels for pulling off hot shots.

"I've gotten some resemblance to Monfils," Mmoh said. "I would say, maybe out of the current generation, Murray. We're both very athletic, we get a lot of balls back, we're really good on the defense. And we just have a canny ability to make balls and not really miss, and then at the same time we can be aggressive."

Watch out for Mmoh's debut Down Under when the Australian Open starts on January 16.