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Jul 19, 2024, 07:53 AM ET
We have spent the last week counting down our list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century, but what about the next generation?
If we were doing another list in 2050, which current athletes who didn’t make it this time around are likely to be included?
We came up with a list of 25 — including some that you probably already know pretty well such as Caitlin Clark, Justin Jefferson and Scottie Scheffler. There are a couple — Noah Lyles and Hezly Rivera — you will learn more about during the Olympic Games in Paris.
And, we may be introducing a few folks — like Kimi Antonelli, the heir apparent to lead the F1 Mercedes team.
As their respective stars rise, let’s dive into the next group of perspective icons across the sports landscape.
Key accomplishments: Four major titles, 4-0 in Grand Slam finals, one of four men in the Open era (since 1968) with four major titles before the age of 22.
Rafael Nadal had won three Grand Slam events by the time he turned 22. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic had each won one. But Alcaraz, who turned 21 in May, already has four. He’s already three-quarters of his way to a Career Slam, something Federer didn’t lock down until age 27. He’s already won five Masters 1000 events, and he’s 19-1 in Slam and Masters finals. It was a big deal that Alcaraz won at least one match at each Slam in 2021, his age 18 season, but he has proceeded to raise the bar countless times. He’s got Djokovic’s speed, Nadal’s physicality and, occasionally, Federer’s artistry. He radiates joy, smiling after points won and lost and occasionally applauding his opponent. He’s just getting started. — Bill Connelly
Kimi Antonelli, auto racing
Key accomplishments: Racing in F2 in 2024 as a 17-year-old, 2023 Formula Regional Middle East and European champion, 2022 ADAC Formula 4 champion, 2022 Italian F4 champion.
Imagine being the driver trusted to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton — now imagine you’ve not even turned 18 yet. That’s the…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/40547013/top-pro-athletes-21st-century-next
Author : ESPN
Publish date : 2024-07-19 12:54:45
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