There’s a new group of tennis influencers who are taking the tennis world by storm, and they aren’t just 20-and-under prodigies.
Yes, João Fonseca (18) has a career-high singles ranking of No. 68, Alex Michelsen (20) is the second youngest professional tennis player in the top 50, and Nishesh Basavareddy (19) recently impressed Novak Djokovic when he won his first and only set against the legend in his grand slam debut. But there are also tennis influencers with a high NTRP/UTR range who are having a positive impact on the sport through their social media content.
In this blog, we’ll look at this new generation of tennis influencers–both those who are making waves in grand slams and other high-profile tennis events, and those who are documenting their journey as they aim for more competitive play. No matter their end goal, each and every one of these players help drive engagement with the sport, growing the tennis community as a whole.
The New Generation of Tennis Stars
When tennis enthusiasts think about emerging talent on the ATP circuit, Fonseca and Michelsen immediately come to mind. Both have climbed the ranks at impressive speeds, contributing to their budding status as tennis influencers. Two weeks after Fonseca’s Australian Open debut, his Instagram followers grew by over 450,000, showing how quickly a young professional tennis player can become a social media influencer. All this attention drives fan engagement, and all the ‘likes’ he and others get on social, attracts brands and exclusive sponsorship deals, ultimately growing their own personal brands.
In women's tennis, Ashlyn Krueger (20) and Robin Montgomery (20) are rising female sport influencers paving the way for young women in tennis. Krueger, whose highest ranking is No. 40, and Montgomery, who went pro at 15, has been steadily climbing the WTA ranks, securing her best at No. 102. She even played with Michelsen at the 2023 US Open mixed doubles event and made it to the second round!
While these pros continue to gain followers based on their impressive tennis skills, tennis players who are savvy content creators are also making a name for themselves by documenting their journey on social media.
For example, Felix Mischker may have a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 1747, but he’s amassed 235K YouTube subscribers—more than some of our emerging influencers. He’s cultivated a strong tennis community that's invested in his journey and rooting for his success. And there are more like him; whether they are a tennis coach or recreational player trying to improve their game, they find pleasure in creating content that makes tennis more relatable.
Cultural and Social Impact
For our pros, being at the center of a major ad campaign or influencer marketing campaign is par for the course. But it also means they have the potential to influence the sport and become trendsetters just like style icon, Serena Williams. Known for her bold colors and interesting silhouettes, she pushed the boundaries of what’s acceptable in tennis. Now, the tennis icon turned entrepreneur champions women and underrepresented founders through Serena Ventures, her new fund. Fonseca, though not on the same level, has also been known to use his platform to promote organizations that make tennis more accessible to underserved kids in his hometown, Rio de Janeiro.
On a small but mighty scale, content creators like Mischker are also making an impact. In their own way, they are making the sport relatable through their content. They narrate their training and practice sessions, offer tips, work with brands with a target audience of recreational players, and regularly discuss how they can help diversify the sport. Mischker’s journey has helped parents of players and inspired many more to play.
Why It Matters for the Future of Tennis
The future of tennis is in the hands of emerging tennis pros and content creators, who serve as both role models for aspiring juniors and ambassadors for the sport. Through their behind-the-scenes content, we get to see what it's really like to chase a dream like Nick Kyrgios. As an athlete, he’s dedicated to the daily grind, but as an influencer, he’s an entertainer. His accolades, paired with his online presence, attract fans.
The more these influencers drive engagement on social, the more they encourage fans to grab a racquet, a few tennis balls and go out and play, boosting the overall health of the sport.
The Future Is Bright
As tennis continues to transform with social media, brands that recognize and support this cultural shift have an opportunity to be a part of it. At Tennis C Williams, we believe we’re something of an ‘it’ kid reimagining what tennis gear can be. We’re always looking to connect with tennis influencers who take their followers behind the scenes. It's easy to focus on the wins, but there’s a lot to be said about how a professional tennis player or even a recreational player prepares. We all want to know!
In the meantime, tune in with us as we keep an eye on all the emerging tennis influencers who are aspiring us to go out and play.