The TENNIS Top 100: Players who need a hot start

“This thing is blinding me now,” Alexander Zverev said at London’s O2 Arena last November, while looking at the gleaming trophy he just won at the ATP Finals. The 21-year-old didn’t win a Slam in 2018, but he claimed the year’s final prize in a blaze of glory, with victories over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Which only meant that reporters wanted to know what’s next.

“It’s great, but the future...” Zverev went on, “A lot of things can happen. A lot of things can change.”

Predicting what those changes will be, for Zverev and 99 other ATP and WTA players, is the challenge we gave our staff and nine former pros for this year’s season preview. What are those 100 players’ strengths and weaknesses? What are their ceilings and forecasts? What should they resolve to achieve in the new year? The answers comprise The Tennis Magazine 100.

After beginning last season on a tear, these players need a hot start in 2019 if they want to avoid a dip in the rankings.

1

Julia Goerges (No. 14)

2018 Notes: Captured titles in Auckland and Luxembourg (14) She’s an aggressive minded power player with a very effective serve, and she does a nice job looking for her favorite pattern: a big serve and forehand. Keep it up. — Lindsay Davenport

New Year’s Resolution: Find a balance between aggressive and reckless

2

Nick Kyrgios (No. 35)

2018 Notes: Began year with Brisbane title and fourth round of Australian Open

I feel bad that someone with his talent is finding a way to waste it. His defense mechanism—tweeners, semi-tank mode—is so ingrained now. Just play and focus. — Jimmy Arias

3

Caroline Wozniacki (No. 3)

2018 Notes: Won first Grand Slam title, in Melbourne, and regained No. 1 ranking

Last year was one of validation, but her style is a tough one to continue to play. I don’t have a whole lot of expectations for her this year, but that could be a good thing, given her arthritic condition. — Chanda Rubin

New Year’s Resolution: Play this season on her terms—and enjoy it

4

Carla Suarez Navarro (No. 23)

2018 Notes: Reached quarterfinals of US Open and Australian Open (23)

We’re not talking about her much, but there’s a lot of upside. She’s under the radar at the Slams, which allows her game to flow. She must keep pushing forward. — Chanda Rubin

New Year’s Resolution: Make her forehand more of a weapon

5

Gael Monfils (No. 29)

2018 Notes: Won Doha, final of Antwerp, fourth round of Wimbledon

With his goal mainly to entertain, he hasn’t underachieved in his mind. He’s a great athletic mover with so many weapons, but he lacks the right mentality. — Mark Knowles

New Year’s Resolution: Get himself back inside the Top 20

6

Angelique Kerber (No. 2)

2018 Notes: Won Sydney—and then her third major, at Wimbledon

As consistent as she is, 2018 was a funny kind of year. If she can tap into the emotion, focus and bravery she showed in the Wimbledon final, more titles will come. — Martina Navratilova

New Year’s Resolution: Improve her serve; right now, it’s still a handicap

7

Hyeon Chung (No. 25)

2018 Notes: Announced himself with a semifinal run at Aussie Open

It’s a shame injuries halted his momentum from Melbourne. Still, he handled tense moments well, and he went toe-to-toe with Novak Djokovic, who he reminds me of. — Jim Courier

New Year’s Resolution: Put a priority on staying healthy for a full season

8

Danill Medvedev (No. 16)

2018 Notes: Won Tokyo and reached two semis during fall stretch (16)

He had a massive second half of ’18 and has shown the firepower that can test the big boys. Look for him to make a strong second-week run at a major in 2019. — Jim Courier

New Year’s Resolution: Defend his Sydney title and go deep Down Under

9

Gilles Simon (No. 30)

2018 Notes: Added to his haul of 14 titles with wins in Metz and Pune

Part of what makes him so tough to play is how unique his game is. He’s not flashy, but he redirects pace so well, and is efficient at cutting off the court and coming in. — Mark Knowles

New Year’s Resolution: Reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal

10

Kyle Edmund (No. 14)

2018 Notes: Australian Open semifinalist won first title in Antwerp

He came into his own in 2018, and there’s no reason he can’t get better. He shored up some vulnerable areas, and his forehand is one of the best in the world. — Paul Annacone

New Year’s Resolution: Win another title; make a deep run at another Slam

11

Elise Mertens (No. 12)

2018 Notes: Captured three titles to finish inside the Top 20 for the first time

She made a huge leap—something just clicked. I don’t think she’s a fluke, though. All the work she’s done has come together, and she’s still so young. She realizes that she’s reached another level. — Martina Navratilova

New Year’s Resolution: Reach the final of a Premier 5 or Premier Mandatory event

12

Tennys Sandgren (No. 61)

2018 Notes: Scored two Top-10 wins en route to Aussie Open quarterfinals

He’s so even keeled and can handle the pressure of five-set matches. I see plenty of upside in his game, and he should be a regular inside of the Top 50. — Jim Courier

New Year’s Resolution: Get himself into another ATP final

13

Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 24)

2018 Notes: Won outdoor hard-court titles in Auckland and Dubai

He’s a bit of an overachiever—he doesn’t have huge weapons. He’ll be stuck in the No. 15-No. 30 range unless he manages to find a way to get a few more free points. — Jimmy Arias

New Year’s Resolution: Get past the fourth round of a Grand Slam event

14

Simona Halep (No. 1)

2018 Notes: Won her maiden major title, and was runner-up in Oz

Halep is the best mover on tour, hands down. And recently, she’s done a nice job of getting more aggressive and developing her forehand finishing shot. — Lindsay Davenport

New Year’s Resolution: Stay No. 1 all year—she’s at the peak of her powers

15

Aliaksandra Sasnovich (No. 30)

2018 Notes: Began year by reaching second WTA final, in Brisbane

She’s very consistent with great, positive energy. Does she have a big enough weapon to crack the Top 20? The top of the women’s game is very tough now. —Tracy Austin

New Year’s Resolution: Build upon her momentum and win her first title

16

Marin Cilic (No. 7)

2018 Notes: Led Croatia to Davis Cup title; runner-up at Australian Open

He’s playing well enough to win another major, but what will happens to him during the big moments That’s the question. I’m not worried about his tennis at all. —Paul Annacone

New Year’s Resolution: Have more belief in himself on the biggest stages

17

Tomas Berdych (No. 71)

2018 Notes: Australian Open quarterfinalist, but just 11–11 overall

He’s usually such a good competitor, but that was missing this past year. He needs to get the fire back—he still has Top 15 potential, and maybe even Top 10. —James Blake

New Year’s Resolution: With the career end near, make every match count

18

Roger Federer (No. 3)

2018 Notes: Defended his Australian Open title and began season on a 17–0 run

How long can he sustain the level necessary to claim big titles? He can still win Wimbledon without his best, but not the other Slams. I don’t ever doubt his greatness, but Father Time is a tough competitor. —Paul Annacone

New Year’s Resolution: Win his 100th title, and keep challenging Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

19

Grigor Dimitrov (No. 19)

2018 Notes: Began year at No. 3, but went just 24–19 and didn’t win a tournament

Whether or not his partnership with Andre Agassi succeeds is a big question mark for 2019. He’s got the talent and the potential. If he can put his game together properly, he’s still a Top 4-caliber player. —James Blake

New Year’s Resolution: For starters, defend his quarterfinal points at the Aussie Open

20

Madison Keys (No. 17)

2018 Notes: Appeared in two Slam semifinals and one quarterfinal

She needs a bigger time frame of playing well and staying healthy. Her weapons are there; it’s a matter of having consistency throughout matches—and seasons. —Tracy Austin

New Year’s Resolution: During off games, refocus and go for bigger targets