Rising Tennis Stars for the New Decade

Injured in 2018, Rublev, 22, climbed from 115th to 23rd last year, with wins over Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios and Roger Federer. He reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open and won his second ATP title at the Kremlin Cup.

“I like his attitude,” McEnroe said. “He has started picking up speed.”

Fellow Russian, the 17th-ranked Karen Khachanov is stronger with more “pure game,” McEnroe said, yet Khachanov’s forehand blasts can’t always hide a weak backhand. Rublev has a potent forehand, but a more effective backhand, though both seem to lack a feel for the ball.

“There’s not a nimbleness in his game,” McEnroe said of Rublev, but his consistency will pay off in the long run. “He may have the better career over all.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/19/sports/tennis/rising-stars.html?emc=rss&partner=rss