16. Colton Smith, 22
Colton Smith, a senior at the University of Arizona, has been named a 2025 Hurd Award recipient by the Universal Tennis Foundation. The prestigious $100,000 grant supports top American college players transitioning to professional tennis. Smith’s rapid ascent in the sport includes a breakout performance at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open, where he qualified and secured his first ATP Masters 1000 victory. Since June, he has climbed from outside the Top 1600 to a career-high ATP ranking of No. 259. In January, he also captured his first UTR Pro Tennis Tour title in Tucson. Smith’s achievements mark him as a rising star in American tennis.