The Baseline Top 5: Men to put on Slam Watch in 2019

The men's Grand Slams were dominated once again in 2018 by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—but plenty of other players have also made meaningful strides toward the top of the game.

With the Big 3's greatness impossible to sustain infinitely, these next-in-line stars will look to step up at the Slams in 2019, starting with the fast-approaching Australian Open.

Here are five players who could be ripe for a breakthrough at the highest level this year:

1

At 21 years old, Zverev has won titles at every tier shy of the majors—including three ATP Masters 1000s and, this past November, the ATP Finals. The world No. 4 hasn't reached the same heights on the biggest stages and under the best-of-five format yet, but keep in mind: Federer was 21, too, when he won his first of 20 Slams and counting.

2

Proof that success has no definite expiration date, Anderson is 32 and playing the best tennis of his career. By beating John Isner 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24 in a Wimbledon semifinal so grueling it prompted a rule change, the South African made his second Slam final in two seasons—and reached a career-high No. 5. Consistently in the mix at big events, Anderson's 6'8" presence is impossible to ignore.

3

Nadal has lost on clay only twice in the past two seasons, and both defeats came at the hands of Thiem. Consider the 25-year-old's two clay titles in 2018, plus his run to the Roland Garros final, and he's the clear second favorite for the next French Open, barring a Djokovic resurgence all the way to his 2016 prowess. Thiem's straight-sets loss to Nadal in this year's final could be considered a flop, but, hey, it's a herculean task, and the experience can only help going forward.

4

Only two players still in their 20s secured ATP Masters 1000 crowns in 2018: Zverev and Khachanov. Paris is often considered the weakest Masters because players frequently aren't healthy late in the season, but Khachanov's route to the title wasn't soft at all: Filip Krajinovic, Isner, Zverev, Thiem and Djokovic. At 22 years old, and with an unmatched forehand and three 2018 titles, the world No. 11 is sneakily one of the best young players.

5

Tsitsipas' rise to prominence in 2018 was absolutely meteoric. He started the season a 19-year-old ranked No. 91 in the world, and climbed all the way to No. 15, for which he was named the ATP's Most Improved Player of the Year. He also won his first ATP title, in Stockholm, and went on a crazy run to make the final of the Rogers Cup, beating Thiem, Djokovic, Zverev and Anderson before giving Nadal a run for his money in the final.

No one outside of five champions (Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka) has emerged victorious at a Slam since Marin Cilic, in 2014. But, with this many outsiders making up ground, 2019 just might feature one or more surprise winners.