Challenger success can often serve as a defining moment for a player’s career. Just ask American #NextGen star Ernesto Escobedo.
After hard-court results in the first half of 2016 that didn’t meet his high standards, the 20-year-old Californian broke through with his first ATP Challenger Tour title this July in Lexington, Kentucky. The win gave him the USTA Pro Circuit wild card into the US Open and he took advantage by winning his opening round match in New York City, then rode that momentum to his third Challenger final of the season this past month in Cary, North Carolina.
Having started the year at No. 393 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Escobedo now sits at a career-high ranking of No. 160.
“I had never won a pro final before, so I felt a little bit of pressure going into that match in Lexington,” said Escobedo. “But at the same time, I was playing a really good friend in Frances Tiafoe and I just wanted to show the crowd my best tennis. I gained so much confidence from that win. It really turned my whole year around. I know that I can play at this level of tennis.”
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Competing at this week’s $100,000 Challenger in Monterrey, Mexico, Escobedo looks to win the biggest title of his career. He shook off a mid-match surge from qualifier Tucker Vorster of South Africa to advance in his opening round on Tuesday.
Escobedo is one of a slew of young American stars who have enjoyed Challenger success in the past month including Tiafoe, Michael Mmoh, Mackenzie McDonald and fellow #NextGen player Noah Rubin. But while they all want to reach the top of the Emirates ATP Rankings, they’ve also spurred each other on to greater heights this year.
“We have a great relationship. Tiafoe, Mmoh, Taylor Fritz, you name it. We all have fun off the court,” said Escobedo. “But on the court, there are no friends. You have to go out there and try to win.”
Having reached the semi-finals last year in Monterrey, Escobedo said he’s extremely comfortable in the Mexican city and has everything in place to make another deep run.
“I think this is the best tournament out there,” said Escobedo. “I love being in Mexico and come to play here any chance I can get.”