The TENNIS Top 100: Players we'll learn a lot about quickly

A severe ankle injury unfortunately kept her out of the US Open. She’s got a natural lefty advantage and uses it well, especially with her down-the-line forehand. — Tracy Austin

New Year’s Resolution: Win another title before her 31st birthday in May

20

Juan Martin del Potro (No. 5)

2018 Notes: Won his first-ever ATP Masters title, in Indian Wells

He’s a better player after his wrist surgeries with an entirely reconstructed backhand. If healthy, he will keep contending for Slams and return to the Top 3. — James Blake

New Year’s Resolution: Reassess his schedule, and win that second Slam

Predicting what 2019 changes will be in store for 100 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.

From top prospects to established stars, we’re very interested in these players—and will know more about them quickly.

1

Rafael Nadal (No. 2)

2018 Notes: Won five titles—including his 17th Grand Slam, in Paris

You’ve never doubted his desire; it has always been about his body. His thirst to improve is unparalleled, and he remains relentless in search of his best. — Martina Navratilova

New Year’s Resolution: Craft a playing schedule that puts his health first

2

Anett Kontaveit (No. 21)

2018 Notes: Semifinals in Stuttgart and Rome; runner-up in Wuhan

Plays well on all surfaces and is poised to have a breakthrough year. Has a good team led by Nigel Sears. I think she has the belief to take the next step at the Slams. — Mark Knowles

New Year’s Resolution: Get to quarterfinals of a Slam for the first time

3

Milos Raonic (No. 18)

2018 Notes: Went 16–6 between Indian Wells (semifinals) and Wimbledon (quarterfinals)

I expect him to be a Top 5 player with his serve and forehand. But he’s a tinkerer, and there’s a point when it can be too much. He can overthink the game. — Jimmy Arias

New Year’s Resolution: Stay healthy and return to Top 16 for better draws

4

Alex de Minaur (No. 31)

2018 Notes: Jumped 177 ranking spots; finalist at Next Gen ATP Finals

He’s a feisty, lightning quick counterpuncher who absorbs and redirects pace so well. He’s cut from the same cloth as Lleyton Hewitt and is going to go a long way. — Paul Annacone

New Year’s Resolution: Work on getting stronger physically

5

Diego Schwartzman (No. 17)

2018 Notes: Reached second career Slam quarterfinal in Paris

To his credit, he took advantage of a time when the biggest stars were down. He makes up for his size with speed, great technique and smart shot selection. — Tracy Austin

New Year’s Resolution: Challenge for more Grand Slam quarterfinal runs

6

Alexander Zverev (No. 4)

2018 Notes: Won four titles—including his biggest yet, at the ATP Finals

He’s in great shape, but something holds him back in five-set matches. Pressure? Mental fatigue? Whatever it is, you have to assume Ivan Lendl is going to really focus on getting him to succeed at the majors. — Lindsay Davenport

New Year’s Resolution: No excuses: reach the final four, or better, at a Grand Slam

7

Victoria Azarenka (No. 51)

2018 Notes: Reached semis at Miami Open but just two other quarterfinals

After having a full off-season to train and work on her game, she’ll make a push to challenge at the big events. Consistency on serve is the key for her. — Mark Knowles

New Year’s Resolution: Play with a clear mindset on the court

8

John Millman (No. 38)

2018 Notes: Stunned sports world with win vs. Federer at US Open

He really earned that fourth-round win over Roger Federer. He’s mature, but it’s still unknown how he will manage expectations after such a giant breakthrough. — Jim Courier

New Year’s Resolution: Deal with the pressure of increased attention

9

Felix Auger-Aliassime (No. 109)

2018 Notes: Won eight matches to claim Tashkent Challenger

He is so fun to watch, with a game wise beyond its years. He must continue to work on his offense, and know when to use it. As that improves, so will his ranking. — Paul Annacone

New Year’s Resolution: Finish in the Top 3 of the ATP’s Race to Milan

10

Denis Shapovalov (No. 27)

2018 Notes: Made semifinals of Madrid; reached third round at a Slam just once

It’s almost impossible to put a ceiling on his talent. He has a level of self-belief and fearlessness that’s so fun to watch. I certainly expect him to make the jump into the Top 20, and potentially the Top 15. — Chanda Rubin

New Year’s Resolution: Improve his serve and dictate more with his backhand

11

Jelena Ostapenko (No. 22)

2018 Notes: Miami Open finalist; Wimbledon semifinalist

Her game is high risk— she needs to understand how to temper it when she’s not playing her best. But she had a solid year, and an exciting chapter is coming. — Chanda Rubin

New Year’s Resolution: Find a level of consistency to match her confidence

12

Eugenie Bouchard (No. 88)

2018 Notes: Had best run in over a year, to the Luxembourg semifinals

A confidence loss hurt her, and she has no Plan B for when her flat, aggressive shots aren’t working. But she’s too talented for her best years not to be ahead. — Mark Knowles

New Year’s Resolution: Find a coach that gives her the right direction

13

Anastasija Sevastova (No. 11)

2018 Notes: Reached career-high ranking and US Open semifinals

I expect her to continue to do great things in 2019. She’s a good competitor with a high tennis IQ, and she isn’t afraid of the sport’s biggest stages. — Paul Annacone

New Year’s Resolution: Reach second week of a Slam other than US Open

14

Petra Kvitova (No. 7)

2018 Notes: Won five titles, but didn’t reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam (7)

She underperformed at the Slams. She wants it so badly that she is stifling herself and her ability to play her best tennis. But we also can’t forget that her left hand is not—and may never be—at 100 percent. — Martina Navratilova

New Year’s Resolution: Aim to peak at the majors—she’s capable of winning any one

15

Naomi Osaka (No. 5)

2018 Notes: She won her first two tournaments— Indian Wells and the US Open

Not only did she handle the toughest closing service game ever at the US Open, but she made the Tokyo final—a very strong indicator that she can handle her new role at the top and achieve great things. — Jim Courier

New Year’s Resolution: Manage the sky high expectations that have come her way

16

Kei Nishikori (No. 9)

2018 Notes: Ranked No. 39 in April, he qualified for the ATP Finals

For a smaller guy, he still creates a lot of pace off his groundstrokes. He needs matches to have confidence, but overplaying wears him down physically. — James Blake

New Year’s Resolution: Shore up his still-weak second serve

17

Sam Stosur (No. 72)

2018 Notes: Won three main-draw matches at an event just once

I’m amazed that she hasn’t done better. Her kick serve and lively forehand are as good as anyone’s. There’s something missing. At 34, It might be too late. — Jimmy Arias

New Year’s Resolution: Push in her chips for a deep Melbourne run

18

Fabio Fognini (No. 13)

2018 Notes: Enjoyed his career-best season with three titles (13)

His vibrant personality overshadows his results. Fognini has big power on his forehand, control on his backhand and is an under appreciated hard worker. — Mark Knowles

New Year’s Resolution: Get to a final of an ATP Masters 1000 event

19

Mihaela Buzarnescu (No. 24)

2018 Notes: Won her first career title in San Jose; went 39–24

A severe ankle injury unfortunately kept her out of the US Open. She’s got a natural lefty advantage and uses it well, especially with her down-the-line forehand. — Tracy Austin

New Year’s Resolution: Win another title before her 31st birthday in May

20

Juan Martin del Potro (No. 5)

2018 Notes: Won his first-ever ATP Masters title, in Indian Wells

He’s a better player after his wrist surgeries with an entirely reconstructed backhand. If healthy, he will keep contending for Slams and return to the Top 3. — James Blake

New Year’s Resolution: Reassess his schedule, and win that second Slam