The European Open, a new ATP 250 tournament, has secured three of the brightest ATP ‘Next Generation’ stars, Taylor Fritz, Borna Coric and Thanasi Kokkinakis, for the tournament, which takes place from the 17-23rd of October.
The young stars join David Goffin, Richard Gasquet and David Goffin in the entry list.
‘Next Generation’ entrants looking to improve on recent form
Fritz, Coric, and Kokkinakis will be looking at the tournament in Antwerp as a good opportunity to go far, especially after a disappointing few months for all three of late.
It is Kokkinakis that has had the most difficult year. The young Australian has struggled with injury, spending a staggering 10 months on the sideline, and has played just one match all year; a straight sets loss to Gastao Elias in the tennis tournament at Rio 2016. He will be looking for some matches to ease himself back into the tour.
For Coric and Fritz, this will be an opportunity to improve on a few months in which neither has played too well. Fritz, who has made his first ATP final, as well as crack the top 100 hundred this year, has lost 10 of his last 14 matches and will be looking for a good result as he aims to finish the season on a high. Similarly, Coric also had a solid start to the year, but the Croatian’s results have dropped off of late and he will see this as a chance to try and cement his place in the top 40.
Experienced stars already set to take part
Gasquet, Goffin, and Ferrer were already set to play in Antwerp before the ‘Next Generation’ stars were confirmed.
Like Coric and Fritz, Ferrer will be looking to have a strong end to the season. The Spaniard has had a poor season by his standards, whilst, in contrast, Goffin and Gasquet have had solid seasons and will likely feature in the latter stages.
It will be a big opportunity for Goffin, who hasn’t had too many opportunities to play in his home country previously.
