We currently have some young talent on the ATP tour that has shown already that they are ready to take on the top ranked players. For tennis bettors, these rising stars present an opportunity: can wagering on these “Next-Gen” talents offer good value during the season? Let’s look into some of them, their profiles, recent performances and what makes them potential goldmines, or risks, in the betting market going forward.
The Next-Gen Contenders
Arthur Fils (France, Age 20)
Arthur Fils has already cracked the Top 20 of the ATP rankings. With two ATP 500 titles won already (Hamburg and Tokyo in 2024), Fils is a tough opponent for anyone. His 2025 season started strong, but he’s still too inconsistent. There are not many players with better groundstrokes but he will need to learn to alter his game at times when not all is working.
- Betting on Fils: Fils consistency on hard courts and improvements on clay-court make him a reliable pick against mid-tier opponents and at times against top seeds. His odds won’t be sky high, but the betting sites may still undervalue his potential in early rounds of bigger tournaments.
João Fonseca (Brazil, Age 18)
The youngest player in the Top 100, Fonseca is a huge talent we will hear a lot about in the coming seasons. The Next-Gen Finals winner has mostly played Challenger tournaments, with big success, but we expect a solid rise in the rankings when he now enters more events on the ATP tour. Read more about the career of Fonseca and his current racquet.
- Betting on Fonseca: Fonseca’s current buzz can possibly inflate his odds, making him a risky favorite. However, his upside in futures bets (ex deep tournament runs) could get high returns for patient bettors, as we’ve seen at possibly the best offshore sportsbook.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (France, Age 21)
A towering figure with a powerful serve, Mpetshi Perricard announced himself with a title in Lyon in 2024 and has since climbed to number 29 in the ranks. His game thrives on fast surfaces, where he shows his ability to dominate with aces and quick points. We’ve already seen him upset big names, such as Casper Ruud at the Australian Open in 2025.
- Betting on Mpetshi Perricard: Look for value in over/under games markets when he faces defensive players, his matches often end quickly. Would consider him dark horse in many of the hard-court tournaments.
Flavio Cobolli (Italy, Age 22)
Cobolli, ranked No. 34, is part of a wave of Italian talent on tour. A very consistent player for his age and plays well both on clay and hard-court. Still without the big tops like some other contenders, will we see a big run in a major tournament this year? His consistency makes him a sleeper pick.
- Betting on Cobolli: For most events, he will fly under the radar, offering great underdog odds against higher-ranked players who might struggle with his grinding style. Could be a smart bet in five-set formats.
Learner Tien (USA, Age 19)
Perhaps the most intriguing wildcard, the runner-up at the Next Gen Finals, has already claimed wins over Top 10 players like Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev in 2025, quite an achievement for a player in his first full ATP season. Read more about Learner Tien and his current racquet and gear.
- Betting on Tien: Tien’s odds remain decent given his lack of name recognition, but it might change quickly. Betting on him as an underdog against top seeds could pay off good, and he can already challenge the best, as proved against Zverev at the 2025 Acapulco event.
Why Bet on the Next Gen?
The Value Proposition
Betting on up-and-coming players often hinges on finding value where bookmakers lag behind their true potential. Upsets happens, quite often… Established stars like Sinner or Alcaraz will constantly give you low odds, leaving little room for profit unless bundled into accumulators. In contrast, these upcoming stars frequently offer great odds, especially in early rounds or against mid-tier veterans. They’re unpredictable, and we will see plenty of surprises during the season.
Understanding their strengths is important in your betting strategy. Fils and Mpetshi Perricard enjoys the fast hard courts, Fonseca thrives on clay (not only though!), Cobolli adapts across surfaces etc.
Risks to Consider
Youth brings volatility. For every upset win, there’s a potential early exit. Injuries, inexperience in five-setters, and mental lapses under pressure will happen. As bettors, we must weigh these risks against the great payouts.
