Who Will Carry the Showmanship of Wawrinka and Monfils on the ATP Tour?
With Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils retired, attention turns to Carlos Alcaraz, Arthur Fils and Joao Fonseca as the tour's next showmen.
Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils have retired, leaving a gap in the ATP Tour's entertainers. Both were known for their showmanship, outstanding shot-making and an ability to whip up a crowd during their matches. With that in mind, three younger players are often mentioned as those who could carry that spirit forward: Carlos Alcaraz, Arthur Fils and Joao Fonseca.
Three names for the next generation
Carlos Alcaraz, 23, combines charisma with talent, and his showmanship is a big part of his appeal. He also regularly changes his hairstyle and facial hair, which adds another layer of interest for fans.
Arthur Fils, 22, is described as having the kind of on-court showmanship that excites spectators, in the same vein as Monfils. Injuries have affected his career so far, and the hope is that he can stay healthy and develop his game enough to take on that role. Like Alcaraz, Fils is known for changing his hair, and his tweeners have drawn attention from tennis fans.
Joao Fonseca, 20, is seen as having the qualities needed to become one of the sport's great entertainers. He already has a passionate fanbase, and his matches can draw such an immersive atmosphere that they have been compared to the energy of a World Cup football match.
Hard acts to follow
Even with three players who could potentially fill the void, Wawrinka and Monfils are considered irreplaceable. Wawrinka won three Grand Slam titles in the Big Three era, at the Australian Open in 2014, Roland Garros in 2015 and the US Open in 2016. He is also one of only a small number of men this century, outside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, to win at least three majors. His nicknames, Stan the Man and Stanimal, reflect how big his stardom was.
Monfils, meanwhile, stood out for making every match look like a remarkable athletic display and an art form. His style of play earned him a place of his own in the sport's history. It was a bittersweet moment when he was unable to play at the Rolex Paris Masters, but the tournament held a farewell in his honour.
Whether Alcaraz, Fils or Fonseca can match the impact of Wawrinka and Monfils will become clearer over time. For now, their styles and personalities suggest they are the players most likely to be talked about when it comes to the tour's next showmen.