Players to Watch in the Month of February in the Tennis World

The month of February is a rare bird within the ATP circuit. Until the arrival of the Masters 1000 jumbo of Arabia Saudí in 2028, it is one of those few spaces without Masters 1000 or Grand Slams in an increasingly crowded calendar dominated by those tournaments that the new management of the circuit, led by Andrea Gaudenzi, aims to label as "premium." So, has the fun stopped here? Far from it.

Different surfaces. Different latitudes. Different organizations. A plethora of options open up on the horizon for all fans, providing a good variety of menus to enjoy: multiple choices, tennis around the clock, and despite this year's calendar offering one less week of rest after the Australian Open, featuring line-ups of high caliber with nearly the entire top 50 present, except for figures like Novak Djokovic or Casper Ruud. But is there life beyond Alcaraz and Sinner? Which players should we keep an eye on in the next three weeks? Who could use this month as a springboard towards the rest of the year? We present five names that promise to make a big impact... with many challenges ahead in the coming days.

These are the five players to follow in the month of February, with tournaments like Rotterdam, Dallas, Buenos Aires, Doha, or Acapulco on the horizon

ALEJANDRO DAVIDOVICH

Around these same dates, Foki missed out on the long-awaited first title of his career. It happened in Delray Beach, in a final he will want to forget, where he had several match points against Miomir Kecmanovic. A week later, in Acapulco, he also fell just short, losing in the final to Tomas Machac. Strangely, this tour in American lands brings out the boldest and sharpest version of the Malaga-born player, who will try again this season. However, he slightly adjusts his schedule, aiming only for Dallas, where he will start as the third seed, and for Acapulco, where he will face a field with a greater number of stars. Prioritizing higher category events, a decisive moment for Foki, who needs good results to support the decisions made in the preseason, as he defends many points. Why not dream of the first title?

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SEBASTIÁN BÁEZ

One of the big surprises of the year's first tour returns to his own promised land. No one takes greater advantage of the South American clay tour: much of his points come from his successes in Rio or Santiago, where he excels. This year, however, it's not just about winning but also about continuing the renewed version he showed in Australia, with a more direct game, accelerating with his forehand in the first or second shot of the exchange, approaching the net as another variant of his play. Strengthening these new foundations in tournaments where he feels so comfortable would be a great boost for the rest of the year, aiming for a regularity outside clay that could propel him into the top 20.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV

The one who never repeats a title enters a season territory he dominated with an iron fist in 2023. Three seasons ago, still without Alcaraz and Sinner leading, Daniil completed a perfect triad to regain momentum in the rankings: he won in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai, gaining a much-needed boost in morale and confidence. Three years later, history could repeat itself, although many things have changed: new coaches, a new style of play, new players at the top. A strong favorite in Rotterdam and Dubai, perhaps Doha, with Spanish and Italian players in the mix, poses a tougher challenge... but there may be no better time to reclaim a crown in the same city for the first time.

BEN SHELTON

Expectations were low for Ben at the start of the season, after a December where he was more focused on social media than showing progress. His performance at the Australian Open deserves more than a passing grade: he defeated everyone he faced... until he met Sinner. Shelton's pending task, who excels in Grand Slams, is to find consistency and form outside of them: with two tournaments on home soil, like Dallas and Delray Beach, it seems like a perfect time to improve his game. If not now, in a crucial moment to find new solutions in order to close the gap with the elite... when?

LUCIANO DARDERI

One of the great revelations of the Australian Open returns to his homeland (or not), seeking redemption. It will be challenging to win the favor of the Argentine people after his switch to Italian nationality, but if he tunes out the noise, this clay court tour could be the perfect turning point for a player who wants to break into the top 15. His game suits the clay perfectly, and it's a time to seize opportunities when stars are absent: perhaps leading him to his first ATP 500 at the Rio tournament where the favorites are wide open. Then comes Indian Wells, perfect for his topspin forehand... the early part of the season is his best chance to approach the top players, and few come with more confidence to take advantage of it.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los jugadores a seguir en el mes de febrero dentro del mundo del tenis