Fritz named 2016 ATP Star of Tomorrow

American teenager Taylor Fritz has been named the 2016 ATP Star of Tomorrow after a successful season that saw him climb more than 100 places in the rankings.

Fritz, who turned 19 last month, won the award by virtue of being the youngest player in the Top 100 at the Nov. 7 deadline.

The teen started the year ranked No. 174 in the world, but he quickly shot up the standings after reaching the final of February’s Memphis Open, where he lost to current world No. 5 Kei Nishikori. In contesting the championship, Fritz became the youngest ATP finalist since 2008.

In total, the California native won 15 tour-level matches and reached a career-high No. 53 in the Emirates ATP rankings in August, buoyed by reaching the quarterfinals in the ATP 500 event in Acapulco and at the Emirates Airline US Open Series event in Atlanta.

Fritz logged victories over Top 30 player Steve Johnson (in Memphis) and Jeremy Chardy (in Acapulco in February) as part of his impressive 2016. He also pushed former world No.1 Roger Federer to three sets on the grass in Stuttgart and US Open champion Stan Wawrinka to four tight sets in the first round at Wimbledon.

Fritz lost to fellow American Jack Sock in five sets in the first round at both the Australian Open and US Open, meaning he has a chance for even quicker climbs up the rankings in 2017, with no points to defend at the four Grand Slams.

This ATP Star of Tomorrow Award is now in its fourth year, replacing the previous player-voted Newcomer of the Year award.

Two other contenders in this category, 18-year-old Frances Tiafoe and 20-year-old Jared Donaldson, finished behind their countryman at No. 102 and No. 108, respectively, in the Emirates ATP Rankings.