ATP Tour

Sinner, Fonseca and more! Celebrating 30 years of the Lexington Challenger

The Lexington Open has become hallowed ground for teenage breakthroughs on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this week, the outdoor-hard court event in the American state of Kentucky is the lone Challenger to feature three 17-year-old champions, a trio that includes current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Shang Juncheng added his name to that list in 2022 and last year, it was Joao Fonseca’s turn in the winner’s circle.

Flashback to 2019 and Sinner was barely inside the Top 200 when he lifted the trophy. His signature red hair was curly as ever and fans marveled at the emerging teenage prodigy. Lexington marked Sinner’s second Challenger title, with his first coming in Bergamo earlier that year.

Photo: Charlie Baglan

“If you're winning two Challengers, that means you're playing very good tennis,” Sinner said after winning Lexington. “I think I've done a great job with that.”

In 2022, ‘Jerry’ Shang became the youngest Chinese champion in Challenger history. And it was not just his shotmaking ability that won over the local fans.

During the lefty’s opening-round match, under the punishing August sun, a ballkid showed signs of overheating. Shang, in the midst of a tight three-set battle, immediately dropped his racquet and rushed to help, shouting, “He’s going to faint!” Shang lifted the boy into his arms and carried him behind the umpire’s chair, out of the direct sunlight.

Once in the shade, Shang handed the ballkid a water bottle and gently placed an ice pack behind his head. The ballkid and Shang reunited for a memorable picture the following day.

What an act of sportsmanship 👏

In Lexington, 🇨🇳 Juncheng Shang noticed a ball kid was not feeling well & was there to help him get some rest

🔊 Sound Up 🔊#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/UPxgdw5OoX

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 3, 2022

Then last year, on the five-year anniversary of Sinner’s triumph in Lexington, Fonseca made his mark by claiming his first Challenger trophy. The Brazilian lifted the Lexington title just one day younger (17 years, 11 months, 17 days) than Sinner.

“In the ceremony, they gave me the trophy and announced, ‘Lexington is the first Challenger to have three 17-year-old champions. He said, 'Shang Juncheng, Jannik Sinner,'” Fonseca said. “That’s really nice.”

Twenty minutes after making history Sunday, Fonseca kindly took the time to hit with three ballkids at the University of Kentucky’s indoor courts, a gesture that spoke volumes about the teenager’s character.

Boasting a recent wave of teenage champions, the Lexington Open has long been a proving ground for future stars. Former No. 8 John Isner graduated from the University of Georgia in 2007 and triumphed in Lexington later that summer, his first Challenger trophy.

A triumph in Lexington is more than a victory. It has routinely been a launchpad to further success.

Lexington is where the future shines 💫

2019 👉 Jannik Sinner
2024 👉 Joao Fonseca#OnTheRise | @atptour pic.twitter.com/WmB84yK0Pi

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 4, 2024