The tennis world is buzzing as the Next Gen ATP Finals 2025 descends upon King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 17 to 21. This eighth edition of the prestigious event shines a spotlight on the brightest 20-and-under talent in men’s tennis, with eight rising stars set to battle it out for a share of over $2 million—and the chance to follow in the footsteps of past champions like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Joao Fonseca.
This year’s draw, held on December 14 and overseen by Saudi Tennis Federation president Mohammed Al-Sarah and ATP Supervisor Ahmed Abdel-Azim, split the field into two groups. The Blue Group features the highly touted Learner Tien (USA), Martin Landaluce (Spain), Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (Norway), and Rafael Jodar (Spain). Over in the Red Group, Alexander Blockx (Belgium), Dino Prizmic (Croatia), Nishesh Basavareddy (USA), and Justin Engel (Germany) are set to lock horns. The format? It’s anything but ordinary—matches are best-of-five sets, but each set is first to four games, with a tiebreak at three-all. Add in no-ad scoring, a reduced shot clock, and a host of innovative rules, and you’ve got a recipe for drama and unpredictability.
The anticipation is even greater after a late shake-up to the lineup. Top seed Jakub Mensik was forced to withdraw on medical grounds, opening the door for 18-year-old German Justin Engel. Engel’s inclusion is no small footnote—he’s the second-youngest player to notch tour-level wins on all three surfaces this year and the first player born in 2007 to lift a Challenger trophy. Meanwhile, last year’s champion, Joao Fonseca, who captured two ATP Tour titles in 2025, also misses out due to injury. His absence means the title is truly up for grabs, with every contender hungry to seize their moment.
Let’s size up the field. Learner Tien, at world No. 28, arrives in Jeddah as the favorite and a man in form. Since teaming up with Michael Chang in July, Tien’s game has soared. He clinched his maiden ATP Tour title in Metz, besting Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the final week of the regular season. Along the way, he’s toppled heavyweights including Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Andrey Rublev, and Lorenzo Musetti. According to Sky Sports, Tien is "part of the triumvirate leading the next wave of men's tennis." There’s a sense that this could be his breakout week on the big stage.
Alexander Blockx, Belgium’s 20-year-old prodigy and former junior No. 1, is another to watch. Blockx started 2025 by clinching his second ATP Challenger title in Oeiras and soon after qualified for the Miami Masters 1000, where he picked up his first Masters-level win in Cincinnati. His steady climb up the rankings peaked at No. 101 in November, and he’ll be eager to make his mark in Jeddah.
Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, also 20, boasts a French Open boys’ singles crown and made headlines at the Australian Open by stealing a set from Novak Djokovic in a gritty display. Injury setbacks hampered his momentum in 2025, but he still managed to qualify for the US Open and grab a tour-level win in Chengdu. Prizmic’s fighting spirit could make him a dangerous floater in the Red Group.
Spain’s Martin Landaluce, just 19, comes in as a former US Open boys’ champion and the youngest player to win a main-draw match at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati this year. Landaluce’s coaching team, Oscar Burrieza and Esteban Carril, have a history of developing top-tier talent, and their influence is already paying dividends.
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the Norwegian 19-year-old, is a force to be reckoned with after snatching four ATP Challenger titles in 2025. The 2024 Wimbledon boys’ champion has surged to a career-high No. 132, and his aggressive style could ruffle feathers in the Blue Group.
American Nishesh Basavareddy, 20, is making his second consecutive Next Gen appearance. Mentored by doubles legend Rajeev Ram, Basavareddy’s 2025 season featured a breakthrough semifinal run at the ATP 250 in Auckland. His all-court game and tactical smarts might just give him the edge needed to advance past the group stage.
Rafael Jodar, another Spanish teenager, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2025. Starting the year outside the Top 900, Jodar rocketed up to world No. 167 after capturing three Challenger titles between August and November. Last year, he served as a hitting partner in Jeddah—this year, he’s earned his place among the elite eight and will be eager to prove he belongs.
Finally, Justin Engel’s story is one of rapid ascent. At 18, he’s already made history on multiple fronts and grabbed headlines with a quarterfinal showing at the ATP 250 in Stuttgart. His debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals, stepping in for Mensik, adds a layer of intrigue to the Red Group.
The tournament’s innovative format is designed to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Matches feature sudden-death points at deuce, a three-minute warm-up, and a reduced interval between points—just eight seconds between first and second serves, and as little as 15 seconds between points if the previous rally was short. Electronic line calling with Hawk-Eye Live ensures razor-sharp accuracy, while players are allowed to communicate with their coaches mid-match. Fans even have the freedom to move about during play, and the court is lined strictly for singles, adding to the unique spectacle.
Wednesday, December 17, marks the opening day of action, with a packed schedule: Dino Prizmic faces Nishesh Basavareddy to kick things off at 12:00 CET, followed by Alexander Blockx against Justin Engel. Later, Learner Tien squares off with Rafael Jodar, and Martin Landaluce takes on Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. The group stage continues through Friday, with the top two from each group advancing to Saturday’s semifinals and the grand final set for Sunday, December 21.
With a maximum prize of $539,750 awaiting the undefeated champion, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The event is broadcast live on Sky Sports and streaming platforms, ensuring fans worldwide won’t miss a moment of the action. The Ministry of Sports and the Public Investment Fund’s sponsorship underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting world-class sporting events, and the electric atmosphere in Jeddah is palpable.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes are on the next generation of stars—each with their own story, ambitions, and shot at glory. The action is just getting started, and with so much young talent on display, anything can happen in Jeddah this week.
