All through 196 ATP Challenger Tour occasions held worldwide in 2023, followers had the chance to find younger superstars, witness the comeback of skilled tour veterans and see historic runs earlier than their eyes. ATPTour.com highlights 5 participant storylines from the ATP Challenger Tour season.

Teenager Mensik Makes Historical past
At 17 years, eight months, Jakub Mensik received the Prague Challenger to turn out to be the youngest Czech Challenger champion in historical past. In simply his sixth Challenger outing, the teenager accomplished a dream week, saving two match factors within the quarter-finals two days earlier than lifting the trophy.

The 2022 Australian Open boys’ singles finalist joined elite firm, turning into one in every of 5 17-year-old Challenger titlists up to now 5 years, alongside Jannik Sinner (2019), Carlos Alcaraz (2020), Shang Juncheng (2022). The one earlier 17-year-old Czech champion was former World No. 4 Tomas Berdych, who captured two Challenger titles in 2003.

“I knew I might play with these guys, however I did not have the expertise. After a number of tournaments, I actually began to belief myself and play my finest recreation,” Mensik informed ATPTour.com in June. “In Prague, that event I felt very particular on court docket. From the beginning, I beat the highest seed [Radu Albot] and after that match, I used to be like, ‘Let’s proceed’. Match by match, I felt extra comfy on the court docket. Then in a number of days I grew to become a champion. I felt very particular and it was an excellent expertise for me. After shedding in first rounds and qualifying rounds, I believe it was sooner than I anticipated.”

Comeback Kei
Regardless of a 20-month absence from the tour, Kei Nishikori didn’t miss a beat. The 33-year-old was topped champion on the ATP Challenger Tour 75 occasion in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico, his first event for the reason that BNP Paribas Open in October 2021.

The previous World No. 4, who underwent arthroscopic left hip surgical procedure final yr, dropped only one set en path to the title and have become the primary unranked Challenger champion. Nishikori was in classic kind all through the hard-court occasion, displaying all-court protection and clear ball-striking to earn his first trophy at any degree since 2018.

“That was shocking quite a bit. I used to be simply anticipating to only play one match and simply sort of get a rhythm for it,” Nishikori stated. “Someway I performed good within the first match and began getting extra assured each match. Within the ultimate, I believe I performed fairly good tennis.”

Jordan’s First Challenger Champion
Abdullah Shelbayh grew to become the primary participant from Jordan to win an ATP Challenger Tour title in October when he received the LTP Challenger in Charleston, South Carolina. The-then 18-year-old is the youngest participant from an Arab nation to win a title at that degree.

The lefty, who graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2021, was a wild card into the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by NEOM.

“It’s one thing particular for me to symbolize Jordan at such tournaments at a excessive degree. With the ability to win such an amazing occasion is such an enormous title for me, the largest of my profession up to now,” Shelbayh stated after profitable in Charleston.

Purcell’s Indian Hat-trick
Australian Max Purcell went on a three-week journey to India in February with two issues in thoughts: profitable ATP Challenger Tour matches and spending much less time on his mobile phone.

The 24-year-old then went on a 15-match profitable streak, triumphing on the Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune Challengers. Whereas he was having fun with a scorching streak that helped him make his Prime 100 debut, his telephone was left chilly within the resort room.

“I made the selection to cease with distractions off court docket,” Purcell stated. “Particularly via India, I needed to be off my telephone as a lot as I might. I needed to ensure I used to be getting as a lot quiet time as I might and simply make sure that going into my matches that I didn’t convey the rest on the court docket.”

The Sydney native is the one Australian to say three consecutive Challenger titles.

De Loore Rebuilds Physique, Wins Maiden Challenger Title
Belgian Joris De Loore has battled via a plethora of accidents, which pressured him to hold up his racquets for 2 years (2019-2020). All through a seven-year span, the 30-year-old underwent seven surgical procedures on six totally different physique components. However De Loore by no means threw within the towel.

In his first event of 2023, De Loore superior via qualifying on the Oeiras-1 Challenger and went on to seize the trophy. He completed the yr with three further ultimate appearances.

“I wish to show that I’m in a position to attain the Prime 100,” stated De Loore, who’s at No. 145 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. “I nonetheless really feel able to it, doesn’t imply I’m going to make it for positive, however I nonetheless have the sport to do it.”