It has long been debated whether college tennis can serve as a viable springboard to the professional ranks. We know which side of the argument college coaches took, but outside coaches and agents often argued that grinding through the ITF circuit gave players the best shot at succeeding on tour.
That sentiment has flipped over the last few years.
It can be argued why this is the case: more proofs of concept, better college tennis infrastructure, NIL money … they are all contributing factors. However, what matters most is that the college-to-professional tennis path is being taken seriously by some of the top juniors in the world.
The proof is in the pudding, as 16 former collegiate tennis players finished the 2025 season inside the ATP Top 100. Let’s dive in.
16 Former College Players Crack the 2025 ATP Top 100
No.’s 100-70
No. 90: Eliot Spizzirri
I wrote a lengthy feature on Spizzirri a few weeks back, detailing why the former ITA No. 1 is only going to build on his first full season on tour. Although he lacks the truly elite traits that set Grand Slam contenders apart, the Texas Longhorn has the mental makeup and stroke consistency to be a mainstay in the top 50 for years to come.
No. 82: Aleksandar Vukic
The 29-year-old Vukic regressed a bit after a career year in 2024. That said, the Australian excels on faster courts and is a threat to pull a few upsets each season.
No. 78: Adam Walton
Another Aussie, Adam Walton, played the best tennis of his professional career in 2025. He played more ATP Tour matches than Challenger Tour matches for the first time in his career and reached a career-high ranking of No. 74 in October. I like what the former Tennessee Volunteer brings to the court, but I see his ceiling capped as a grinding Top 100 guy.
No. 71: Jacob Fearnley
The former TCU Horned Frog is fun to watch and has the talent to back it up. He finished with a 16-21 ATP record in his first full season on tour, scoring Top 30 wins over the likes of Machac, Humbert, Cobolli, and Griekspoor. A few injury nicks slowed Fearnley down throughout the season, but I expect him to have a very strong 2026. He has a Top 15 ceiling.
No. 70: Ethan Quinn
On a recent episode of the “Cracked Interviews” podcast, Ethan Quinn opened up about how his process during his second full season on tour improved. The results followed, with a 12-18 ATP record including four Top 50 wins. As his serve continues to improve and he adds muscle to his 21-year-old frame, Quinn should continue to advance up the rankings.