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World No. 3 could play Felix in the second round
Alexander Zverev has already won many important titles in his young career, including the 2018 Nitto ATP Finals and three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. The German has been so successful, that it’s easy to forget he is still only 21.

Zverev would not be eligible to compete at the Next Gen ATP Finals anymore if he chose to, but the German expects some of the top #NextGenATP players to join him near the top of the ATP Rankings sooner rather than later.

“It’s funny because I’m 21 years old and I’ve been on Tour for basically five years now. I don’t like to say I’m better or everything like this. I mean obviously my [ATP] Ranking says it and I’ve won bigger titles, but everybody has their own way,” Zverev said. “I’ve played more tournaments than them. I’ve been on Tour longer, but in a few years’ time, nobody will remember that I was there quicker. I think those guys are great and I wish them nothing but the best. I think the new generation of tennis will be in good hands.”

The World No. 3 has been particularly impressed by Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, a pair of #NextGenATP Canadians. Both Auger-Aliassime, 18, and Shapovalov, who turned 20 on Monday, reached the semi-finals in Miami.

“Felix is obviously a little bit younger than us and he’s doing amazing. Canada has probably two Grand Slam champions growing up right now,” Zverev said. “Denis, even though he may be struggling a little bit more than everybody expected, trust me, he will be on top of the game soon and Felix as well. I think Canada, if everything goes well and no injuries occur or something like this, they will be on top of the game.”

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Zverev could potentially face Felix in his opening match in Monte-Carlo. The 18-year-old needs to beat Cordoba champion Juan Ignacio Londero to set the blockbuster.

“He’s been one of the best young guys on Tour this year. He made the semis in Miami, made the final in Rio,” Zverev said. “I’m very happy for him because he’s one of the most humble and nicest guys that I know. He always walks around, even when he was younger, he’s still young but when he was just starting and the first few times that everybody saw him on the Tour he was always very polite and always very positive.

“For me, I’m not going to say I’m a fan of him, but I always kind of look after him because, first of all, he’s a great player, but also because he’s an unbelievably nice kid.”

For his part, Zverev is ready to turn over a new leaf on his 2019 season. After a strong start to the year, including a runner-up showing in Acapulco, the German got sick at Indian Wells, limiting his performance there and in Miami. Zverev has won multiple clay-court titles in each of the past two seasons.

“I enjoy playing on it. I’m one of those guys that looks forward to playing on it, not even because I win, but I enjoy the long rallies, I enjoy the running around, sliding around the court and stuff like this,” Zverev said. “Clay with indoor hard courts is probably my favourite surface right now.”


Zverev has won three of his trophies on indoor hard courts. So how does he translate his game to the slower clay surface?

“I try to be very aggressive always. But I’m also very tall, so I need space. I need space, I need time to have my big swings and be able to hit the ball and that’s what clay gives me,” Zverev said. “When I play heavy, it doesn’t matter what surface I play on. It’s more about where I have the timing, where I feel the most comfortable and so far it’s always been clay.”

The 2017 Rome and 2018 Madrid champion will hope that comfort pays off in Monte-Carlo, where he will try to complete his trio of clay-court Masters 1000 titles.

More Stories Like This In: Monte-Carlo Player Features Alexander Zverev 2019 Masters 1000

Finn speaks to ATPChallengerTour.com after winning his maiden title in Fergana, Uzbekistan
This week, the Fergana Challenger celebrated its 20th edition on the ATP Challenger Tour. On Sunday, its champion reveled in a milestone of his own.

Emil Ruusuvuori etched his name in the history books with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 12th seed Roberto Cid Subervi, earning his maiden title. He is just the fourth player from Finland to capture a Challenger crown in the last 30 years and the first since Jarkko Nieminen in 2013.

The Nordic nations are making a splash on the #NextGenATP scene, with 20-year-old Ruusuvuori joining Norway's Casper Ruud and Sweden's Mikael Ymer as recent Challenger champions. The Helsinki native is now the highest-ranked Finnish player, rising to a career-high No. 300 in the ATP Rankings.

It was an impressive week for Ruusuvuori on the hard courts of Fergana, in just his 10th Challenger appearance. After rallying from a set down to upset top seed Pedja Krstin, he needed a deciding tie-break to defeat home hope Khumoyun Sultanov in the semis, before streaking past Cid Subervi in one hour and 21 minutes on Sunday.

Finland has been in search of a new standard bearer in singles ever since former World No. 13 Jarkko Nieminen retired in 2015. Henri Kontinen is leading the charge in doubles and Ruusuvuori is hoping to join his countryman in flying the Finnish flag.

Youngest Winners In 2019

Champion Age Title
Jannik Sinner
17 years, 6 months
Bergamo, ITA
Corentin Moutet
19 years, 9 months
Chennai, IND
J.J. Wolf
20 years
Columbus, USA
Corentin Moutet
20 years, 1 month
Lyon, FRA
Emil Ruusuvuori
20 years, 2 months
Fergana, UZB
Mikael Ymer
20 years, 3 months
Noumea, NC
Ugo Humbert 20 years, 7 months
Cherbourg, FRA
Jay Clarke
20 years, 8 months
Anning, CHN
Moreover, Ruusuvuori is the fifth-youngest champion on the Challenger circuit this year, joining Ymer, Jannik Sinner, Corentin Moutet, Ugo Humbert, Jay Clarke and J.J. Wolf as #NextGenATP winners.

ATPChallengerTour.com spoke to the flying Finn after his victory in Fergana...

Emil, congrats on winning your first Challenger title. How does it feel to lift the trophy?
It feels amazing. I didn't expect it to go this well, but everything worked from the first match and I'm just really happy to win my first title.

To win your first title is never easy. What was the key this week?
It's of course very challenging mentally, especially the last few matches. There's a lot of pressure and nerves, but you just have to keep focusing on your game and play your best.

Take us through the final. Did you feel nervous today against Roberto?
Of course, in a first Challenger final you're going to feel extra nervous. But I still played good tennis and I think it was a good quality final.

How important is a week like this as you're transitioning from Futures to Challengers?
It's really important, since there's a lot of points at stake. It helps my ranking a lot so I can enter Challengers more easily now, and is just important with everything I'm pushing for.

Ruusuvuori

You haven't played many Challengers. Did you expect this success to come so quickly?
Well, maybe I didn't expect to win the title, but I've been improving a lot in the last few weeks. I don't set any limits for myself, so I know my level. I'm happy with this.

As you've moved from juniors to pros, what have you learned about your game at this level? How has your game grown?
It's really challenging at this level and everyone plays so well. It's all decided by the smallest of things. A few points here and there can make the difference. I have to play closer to the baseline and be more aggressive. Just do everything better [than in juniors].

You are just the fourth player from Finland to win a title in the last 30 years, and the first since Jarkko Nieminen. How special is that? Do you hope to inspire your country to play tennis?
I actually didn't even know that. It's great to represent your country. That's good to hear. I hope this drives the kids to start playing more tennis. We don't have too many players at the moment, so I hope there will be more in the future.

Finnish Challenger Champions (since 1990)

Player Titles Won
Most Recent
Emil Ruusuvuori 1
Fergana 2019
Jarkko Nieminen
10 Helsinki 2013
Tuomas Ketola
5
Prague 2004
Ville Liukko
1 San Diego 1998
What did you enjoy most about your time in Fergana?
I didn't see much outside of the courts and the hotel, but everything here was great. The facilities are good too and everyone working here has done an excellent job. I have nothing to complain about.

For those of us who don't know much about you, what do you enjoy doing off the court?
Pretty simple. If I'm at home in Finland, I like to just hang out with friends and go fishing. And of course watch ice hockey.