The 21 & Under Club: Michael Mmoh

How do you follow the Greatest Generation? It’s a question tennis has tried to answer for at least a decade. Serena, Roger, Novak, Rafa: all of them are over 30, and they’ve combined to win 75 Grand Slam singles titles—but none of them are going away quietly. When they do, who will fill their very large shoes?

As you’ll see in The 21 & Under Club, the future of tennis is still coming, and coming soon. While it may not produce a 20-Slam winner, it’s clear that the game will be in good hands. Interesting hands, too: one thing we know for sure is that this new generation of players will infuse the tours with a wide and refreshing range of styles, personalities and backgrounds. When the Greatest Generation says goodbye, we can feel good about welcoming this cast of players to the courts.

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Most-Liked Photo of 2019: Standing on a deck with the caption, “The truth will set you free.”

If we’re being honest, we’re probably wondering if this 21-year-old will take the next leap in the pros. Deemed a player to watch for years, given his junior success and incredible talent, could Mmoh find himself getting passed by in a deep American class?

“He has to redefine his game at the pro level,” says Paul Annacone, former coach of Roger Federer and Pete Sampras. “Terrific mover, great counterpuncher, but I think he’s got to get more comfortable being proactive if he wants to have a big impact on tour.”

Last October, Mmoh won back-to-back ATP Challengers to crack the Top 100 for the first time. They were his third and fourth Challenger titles, to go along with four titles on what was formerly known as the ITF Pro Circuit.

Injured for much of this year, Mmoh will look to rediscover a winning formula upon his return, while also looking for something to push him farther at the game’s highest level.

“He’s such a good mover that if he makes good shot-selection choices, he’s going to stay in rallies and will create plenty of opportunities to be offensive,” says Annacone. “But when they’re there, he’s got to take them.”

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