In tennis, it’s not uncommon to see young phenoms burst onto the scene, win hearts, and make headlines—only to fade just as quickly. Whether it was burnout, injuries, or the pressure of early success, some players peaked before they ever got a real chance to build a lasting legacy.
We’re counting down 10 players who looked like future Slam champs but hit their highest point way too early. These are the stories of promising starts that fizzled out way faster than anyone expected.
10. Melanie Oudin
Remember “Believe”? Oudin’s Cinderella run to the 2009 US Open quarterfinals had the whole country buzzing—then she kind of disappeared.
9. Donald Young
He turned pro at just 14 and was crowned the future of American tennis. But after a few flashes of brilliance, he stalled out and never lived up to the massive hype.
8. Nicole Vaidišová
She was a top 10 player before turning 18 and made two Slam semifinals. Then came a shocking retirement in her early 20s, and her career just… ended.
7. Ana Konjuh
Konjuh had all the tools and made a US Open quarterfinal as a teenager. Injuries absolutely wrecked her momentum, and she’s been fighting to get back ever since.
6. Taylor Townsend
Townsend was a junior star with big expectations and a unique game. But she never broke through at the pro level like many predicted, despite moments of brilliance.
5. Bernard Tomic
Tomic had a funky game, early Slam success, and plenty of confidence. Unfortunately, he became more known for bizarre quotes than wins as his career slowly unraveled.
4. Marta Kostyuk
Kostyuk was the youngest player to win a main-draw match at the Australian Open in over two decades. While she’s still on tour, she hasn’t quite matched the buzz she created as a 15-year-old.
3. Laura Robson
Robson was tipped to be the next British tennis superstar. Injuries derailed everything, and after years of trying to come back, she quietly retired.
2. Ernests Gulbis
Gulbis made a surprise run to the French Open semifinals in 2014 and looked like he was finally putting it all together. That… was basically the last time he did.
Read More: 15 Tennis Stars Who Took Themselves Way Too Seriously
1. Jelena Dokic
Dokic beat world No. 1 Martina Hingis at Wimbledon as a 16-year-old. But her career was derailed by personal issues and a controlling, abusive father—she was a star who never got to shine long enough.
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