Based on some intriguing matchups and strong results in 2017, here are a few guesses of the next great rivalry. (AP)

No talk of shot clocks, on court-coaching, or other changes designed to “modernize” the game can do for the sport what a great rivalry can.

The sport’s pop cultural crests have always followed the outsized personalities, Shakespearean plotlines and contrasts in style of two stars locked in an epoch battle for supremacy. The names are storied. Borg and McEnroe. Edberg and Becker. Sampras and Agassi. Nadal and Federer.

Where will the next great rivalry come from in the men’s game? Based on some intriguing matchups and strong results in 2017, here are a few guesses:



1

Dominic Thiem vs. Alexander Zverev



Head-to-Head: Thiem leads 4-1

Great rivalries are defined by consistent contention for the game’s top titles, and of all the Next Gen players, Thiem and Zverev seem the most poised to regularly compete deep into the biggest tournaments.

Are Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem the next Federer and Nadal? - Vogue https://t.co/78jxQn5ytq pic.twitter.com/1a12dl1suo — Tennis Photos (@tennis_photos) August 18, 2017

Though Zverev’s Slam record left plenty to be desired in 2017, he won two ATP Masters 1000s titles, beating Novak Djokovic for the tile in Rome, and put up strong results throughout the season. And Thiem is the only member of the new class to get as far as a semifinal at a Slam.

They also present a pleasing contrast in style—most notably in the backhand department, with Thiem possessing a blistering one-hander and Zverev wielding a two-hander as good as any on the tour.

Personalities divide fans as much as the tennis between the lines. Zverev struts with the confidence and harbors a bold sense of humor while Thiem radiates earnestness in every move. All the ingredients are in place for a generation-defining rivalry.

Now all they have to do is meet more often on the biggest stages.



2

Nick Kyrgios vs. Alexander Zverev



Head-to-Head: Kyrgios leads 3-1

This matchup of outsized personalities and unquestionable talent collided three times in 2017, with Kyrgios taking two victories (Miami and Beijing) to Zverev’s one (Montreal). Crucially, all three meetings took place in late rounds of an ATP Masters 1000 and gave a tantalizing look at a marquee matchup that could extend for years.

Zverev and Kyrgios appear to get along well. At times, their matches even took on the feel of exhibitions, with both players clearly enjoying the contests and even hitting their fair share of trick shots.

But as the stakes get higher for both players, that dynamic can of course change. If Kyrgios and Zverev can start to improve their Grand Slam showing next year (neither of them has ever advanced past a quarterfinal), they’re destined to meet in some classic matches.



3

Hyeon Chung vs. Andrey Rublev



Head-to-Head: Chung leads 3-0

In one of the more under-the-radar performances on the year, Hyeon Chung of South Korea is a name everyone should know heading into 2018. While the aforementioned players on this list enjoyed a bigger share of media attention, Chung took out big names like Gael Monfils, David Goffin, Roberto Bautista Agut, Feliciano Lopez and fellow Next Gen stars Coric and Zverev in 2017. And that was before emerging to win the Next Gen ATP Finals.

The same could be said of Chung’s opponent in the final. Andrey Rublev, now ranked No. 39 in the world, put together some similarly impressive results against top players. He made his presence felt most notably at the US Open, where he took out Goffin and Grigor Dmitrov en route to the quarterfinals (where he lost to eventual champion Nadal).

Heading into their Next Gen finals encounter, Rublev and Chung had played twice before in 2017. If Chung is in his head already, the makings of a good rivalry may be underway. All they have to do is take the next step and start meeting in the late stages of the big tournaments—something they’re both more than capable of doing.