5 ATP Challenger gamers to observe in 2026

Challenger

5 ATP Challenger gamers to observe in 2026

Zheng, Jodar among the many record

January 05, 2026

From faculty standouts to younger stars making an expert breakthrough, listed here are 5 ATP Challenger gamers to observe in 2026:

Michael ZhengZheng is a confirmed winner and his rise onto the ATP Tour will not be a query of if, however when. The reigning two-time NCAA singles champion, who’s a senior at Columbia College, tallied a 24-7 match report at ATP Challenger stage in 2025, together with three title runs.

Zheng made the very best use of an ATP Subsequent Gen Accelerator spot on the Chicago Challenger in August, going all the way in which to the winner’s circle as World No. 416 within the PIF ATP Rankings. Zheng then added to his title haul in September with consecutive trophies in Columbus and Tiburon. Celebrating his twenty second birthday later this month, Zheng begins the season at No. 182 within the PIF ATP Rankings.

Nicolai Budkov KjaerOne of the fastest-rising youngsters on the ATP Challenger circuit, the Norwegian is coming off a standout season through which he was one in all six gamers to say a season-leading 4 titles at that stage. That success helped Budkov Kjaer qualify for the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF, the place he reached the semi-finals. At No. 135 within the PIF ATP Rankings, the 19-year-old will intention for a second consecutive qualification for the 20-and-under occasion.

In 2025, {the teenager} gained his maiden Challenger title in Glasgow in February and returned to the winner’s circle in July with back-to-back triumphs in Tampere and Astana, turning into the youngest Norwegian to say a number of Challenger titles. The 2024 Wimbledon boys’ singles champion gained the Mouilleron le Captif Challenger in October for his fourth triumph of the 12 months.

Rafael JodarFew Challenger gamers made a extra eye-catching, late-season surge than Jodar, who gained three titles in as many months en path to qualifying for the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF. On New 12 months’s Eve, the 19-year-old introduced that he’s turning professional, forgoing his remaining eligibility on the College of Virginia, the place he spent two seasons.

The Spaniard entered the Hersonissos Challenger in September as World No. 540 and was in the primary draw as an alternate, but in simply his ninth Challenger look, he went all the way in which to the title. Jodar gained the Lincoln and Charlottesville Challengers throughout a three-week span in October, the latter happening at his residence campus in Virginia. He earned two group-stage wins in Jeddah and is ready to start 2026 at a career-high No. 165.

Trophy time for Rafa Jodar 😎#ATPChallenger | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/cvODPSHx8H

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 19, 2025

Federico CinaFresh off his first full season on the Challenger circuit, Cina is quickly asserting himself on that stage and knocking on the door of his maiden title. The Italian competed in three Challenger finals in 2025, together with a decent two-set defeat to fellow #NextGenATP star Justin Engel — the youngest Challenger championship match since 2003. The 18-year-old shall be one to keep watch over as he goals to qualify for the 2026 Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF.

Elmer MollerPower and momentum are firmly on Moller’s facet as he approaches his Prime 100 debut. Boasting a thunderous, damage-dealing backhand, the Dane closed his 2025 season in triumphant trend, successful the Maia Challenger within the last week. It marked the 22-year-old’s third Challenger title of the 12 months in his fourth last look. He additionally gained the clay-court Challengers in Oeiras, Portugal and Iasi, Romania. Moller begins the 12 months at No. 119 within the PIF ATP Rankings.