NextGen Finals: Is there a German-speaking starter for the first time?
With Dominic Stricker and Filip Misolic , a Swiss and an Austrian have realistic chances of starting at the #NextGen Finals in London. It would be a first for a German speaking player.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 27, 2022, 11:15 am
Of course: Alexander Zverev would have had a starting place in the #NextGen Finals, several times even. But Zverev was too good too early, and although he stopped by at the first edition in Milan in 2017, he focused on the “real” Masters that followed. This year will be no different. Because Carlos Alcaraz, who after all won the competition of the best U-21 players of the year last year, will definitely play in Turin. And not in Milan.
Jannik Sinner, in Sofia this week on the hunt for his third title and NextGen Champion 2019, has the same wish. At the moment, Sinner is number two behind Alcaraz in the Race to Milan.
But back to Zverev and a German-speaking dilemma: Because apart from the currently convalescent native of Hamburg, no player from Germany, Austria or Switzerland has managed to qualify for the #NextGen Finals. This year, however, something could work - provided that Alcaraz and Sinner do not compete.
Misolic and Stricker in good position
Because Dominic Stricker, the Swiss left-hander, is currently in tenth place in the race, so he has a starting place in his pocket. However, the lead over the next-placed, Austrian Filip Misolic, is only 50 points. Stricker plays in Charleston this week, Misolic plays in Lisbon. Incidentally, the Styrian, this year's finalist in Kitzbühel, has formulated reaching the finals as a new goal for the season.
From an Austrian point of view, Lukas Neumayer, the next U-21 crack, follows in 37th position, but with no prospects of a starting place in Milan. Jerome Kym is the second best Swiss in 51st place. On the other hand, it looks pretty bleak for Germany: Because Marko Topo is only 67th as the best young man. And there is no Alexander Zverev who could brighten up this bleak inventory.