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I've had my eye on Jack Sock for a few years, first taking notice of him because of his memorable name. But of the American players on the radar, he seems to have the most potential - at least until we get to the really young guys like Jared Donaldson (age 18, #149) and Francis Tiafoe (age 17, #284).
Anyhow, Sock is 22 years old, turning 23 in September - and thus just about a week older than Bernard Tomic, or about a year and a half younger than Grigor Dimitrov and about a year older than Jiri Vesely and Dominic Thiem. I mention these other names because they all seem like potential future top 20 players.
Sock has risen gradually but steadily. After his defeat of Borna Coric today, he's holding steady at #31 in the live rankings, which happens to be his career high. Here are his year-end rankings starting with 2010, the year he turned 18: 878, 381, 150, 102, 42, (31). Let's assume that he continues to rise this year - he's a good candidate to sneak into the top 20 before the end of the year.
Sock has one title to his name the ATP 250 US Clay Court Championship in April of this year, in which he defeated fellow American Sam Querrey, a player who was of similar caliber at Sock's age, although Querrey has never ranked higher than #17.
It is worth mentioning that Sock has a Grand Slam title under his belt - as a doubles tandem with Vasek Pospisil over the Bryan brothers at Wimbledon last year. They have since lost to the Bryan brothers in two Masters finals. He's currently ranked #6 among all doubles players in the world.
Anyhow, I have some hope for Sock. I don't think he'll be an elite player, but he seems a lock to be at least a "third tier" player - a guy that hangs out in the #10-30 range - and he could be better than that. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sock win some more titles, an ATP 500 or two, and even sneak into the top 10 at some point. I see him a group of players that includes Vesely, Thiem, Tomic, Goffin, and maybe a few others, that aren't quite good enough to rise into the elite, but will be around for years to come - the new Almagros, Isners, and Simons of the sport.
Anyhow, Sock is 22 years old, turning 23 in September - and thus just about a week older than Bernard Tomic, or about a year and a half younger than Grigor Dimitrov and about a year older than Jiri Vesely and Dominic Thiem. I mention these other names because they all seem like potential future top 20 players.
Sock has risen gradually but steadily. After his defeat of Borna Coric today, he's holding steady at #31 in the live rankings, which happens to be his career high. Here are his year-end rankings starting with 2010, the year he turned 18: 878, 381, 150, 102, 42, (31). Let's assume that he continues to rise this year - he's a good candidate to sneak into the top 20 before the end of the year.
Sock has one title to his name the ATP 250 US Clay Court Championship in April of this year, in which he defeated fellow American Sam Querrey, a player who was of similar caliber at Sock's age, although Querrey has never ranked higher than #17.
It is worth mentioning that Sock has a Grand Slam title under his belt - as a doubles tandem with Vasek Pospisil over the Bryan brothers at Wimbledon last year. They have since lost to the Bryan brothers in two Masters finals. He's currently ranked #6 among all doubles players in the world.
Anyhow, I have some hope for Sock. I don't think he'll be an elite player, but he seems a lock to be at least a "third tier" player - a guy that hangs out in the #10-30 range - and he could be better than that. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sock win some more titles, an ATP 500 or two, and even sneak into the top 10 at some point. I see him a group of players that includes Vesely, Thiem, Tomic, Goffin, and maybe a few others, that aren't quite good enough to rise into the elite, but will be around for years to come - the new Almagros, Isners, and Simons of the sport.
