2025 Next Gen ATP Finals

The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals represents the pinnacle of the season for the world’s best 20-and-under tennis players. Now in its third year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the tournament continues its dual tradition: crowning the future stars of the ATP Tour while serving as a high-tech testing ground for the sport’s boldest innovations.

Held at the magnificent King Abdullah Sports City, the event offers a glimpse into the crystal ball of tennis. Past champions like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas used this platform as a launchpad to Grand Slam glory and World No. 1 rankings. The 2025 edition features a field of eight rising talents battling not just for a prestigious title, but for a share of a record-breaking $2.1 million prize pot.

Tournament Rules and Format Innovations

The Next Gen ATP Finals is renowned as the “innovation lab” of professional tennis. It is the only tournament on the calendar that deviates entirely from traditional scoring and conduct rules to trial faster, more TV-friendly formats. The 2025 event features a specific set of experimental rules designed to reduce downtime and increase intensity.

The Scoring System

The most radical difference is the scoring format, which ensures high-stakes points occur more frequently.

• First-to-4 Games: Sets are shorter than the traditional first-to-6. A player wins a set by reaching 4 games (e.g., 4-0, 4-1, 4-2).
• Best-of-5 Sets: Despite shorter sets, the match is best-of-five, testing a young player’s endurance and mental fortitude over a longer quantity of “sprints” rather than a marathon.
• Tie-Breaks at 3-All: If the score reaches 3-3, a tie-break is played immediately to decide the set. This tie-break is first to 7 points (with a margin of two).
• Sudden Death at 4-4 (Deciding Set Tie-Break): If the match goes to a deciding fifth set and reaches 3-3, a final tie-break determines the winner.
• No-Ad Scoring: The traditional “Deuce” is eliminated. At 40-40, a single “Sudden Death” point is played. The server chooses which side (deuce or ad) to serve from. This rule drastically shortens games and creates immediate pressure on the server.

Time Management and Pace of Play

To align with modern viewing habits, the 2025 edition enforces strict time limits:

• Serve Shot Clock: A strict 8-second rule applies between the first and second serve, preventing players from resetting their routine after a fault.
• Reduced Time Between Points: The shot clock is dynamic. If a rally is short (fewer than 3 shots), the time between points is cut from 25 seconds to just 15 seconds. For longer rallies (3+ shots), the standard 25 seconds applies.
• Warm-up: On-court warm-ups are limited to just 3 minutes, forcing players to be ready to compete almost immediately upon entering the arena.
• Shortened Changeovers: Players do not sit down after the first game of a set. Sit-downs occur after 3 games (90 seconds), and at the end of a set. This is a reduction from the standard 120-second set break.

Fan and “Game Flow” Initiatives

• “No Let” Rule: The service let is abolished. If a serve clips the net tape and lands in the service box, the ball is live. This removes the need to replay points and adds an element of unpredictability.
• Free Fan Movement: In a break from tennis tradition, fans are allowed to move freely around the stadium during play (except for areas directly behind the baselines). This creates a more relaxed, NBA-style atmosphere.
• Wearable Tech: Players are permitted to wear biometric data-tracking devices during matches, allowing coaches to monitor physical stress and heart rate in real-time.

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The 2025 Field: Groups and Qualified Players

The field consists of the top eight 20-and-under players from the PIF ATP Live Race to Jeddah. For the 2025 edition, the players have been divided into two round-robin groups: The Blue Group and the Red Group.

Blue Group

This group is headlined by the tournament’s top seed and features a heavy Spanish presence.

1. Learner Tien (USA)

• Age: 20
• Rank: World No. 28
• Bio: The top seed and 2024 finalist returns with unfinished business. Tien had a breakout 2025 season, climbing from outside the Top 100 to the Top 30. A lefty with exceptional court craft and tennis IQ, Tien captured his first ATP title in Metz this year and reached the Beijing final. He is the favorite to lift the trophy.

2. Martín Landaluce (ESP)

• Age: 19
• Rank: World No. 135
• Bio: One of Spain’s brightest prospects post-Alcaraz. Landaluce qualified after a strong season on the Challenger Tour, including a title in Orleans. He possesses a heavy forehand and has been mentored by Rafael Nadal’s academy system. He served as an alternate in 2024 but enters 2025 as a main draw contender.

3. Rafael Jódar (ESP)

• Age: 19
• Rank: World No. 167
• Bio: A teammate and friend of Landaluce, Jodar experienced a late-season surge, winning three Challenger titles in the final three months of the year to secure his spot. Currently playing college tennis for the University of Virginia, he brings a unique blend of team-atmosphere experience to the pro circuit.

4. Nicolai Budkov Kjær (NOR)

• Age: 19
• Rank: World No. 133
• Bio: Following in the footsteps of Casper Ruud, Budkov Kjær is putting Norway on the tennis map. He became the youngest Norwegian to win multiple Challenger titles in a single season (Tampere, Astana) and is known for his icy demeanor and solid baseline game.

Red Group

The Red Group is led by Belgian talent and features the youngest player in the tournament.

1. Alexander Blockx (BEL)

• Age: 20
• Rank: World No. 115
• Bio: The 2023 Australian Open Junior champion has transitioned smoothly to the pro tour. Blockx earned his first ATP Tour-level win in Cincinnati this year. He is an aggressive baseliner who thrives on fast indoor surfaces, making the Jeddah conditions ideal for his game.

2. Dino Prižmić (CRO)

• Age: 20
• Rank: World No. 127
• Bio: Prižmić famously took a set off Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open earlier in 2024, earning praise from the legend himself. A gritty competitor from Croatia, he struggled with injuries mid-season but rebounded with two Challenger titles (Zagreb, Bratislava) to qualify.

3. Nishesh Basavareddy (USA)

• Age: 20
• Rank: World No. 166
• Bio: Returning for his second consecutive Next Gen Finals, Basavareddy is a Stanford University standout who balances college studies with the pro tour. He reached the semifinals in Auckland to start the season. He recently added Daniil Medvedev’s former coach, Gilles Cervara, to his team, signaling serious intent.

4. Justin Engel (GER)

• Age: 18
• Rank: World No. 182
• Bio: The youngest player in the field (born 2007). Engel received a late call-up following withdrawals but has proven he belongs, having become the youngest German to win a Challenger match since Boris Becker. He is the wildcard factor of the group—untested at this level but playing with “house money.”

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Withdrawals and Absences

The road to Jeddah is grueling, and the late position in the calendar often leads to attrition. The 2025 edition saw two high-profile absences that reshaped the field:

• Jakub Menšík (CZE): The highest-ranked eligible teenager (World No. 19) was forced to withdraw due to medical issues. Menšík was expected to be the top seed and a heavy favorite alongside Tien. His withdrawal opened the door for Justin Engel.
• João Fonseca (BRA) – The Defending Champion: In a cruel twist, the 2024 champion João Fonseca qualified comfortably (Ranked No. 24) but withdrew due to injury. As the reigning titleholder, his absence guarantees a new champion will be crowned in Jeddah.

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Prize Money and Distribution

The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals offers a record-breaking total prize pool of $2,101,250. Because there are no ATP Ranking points awarded at this event (it is strictly an exhibition of talent), the financial incentives are massive for players at this stage of their careers.

Breakdown of Earnings:

• Undefeated Champion: A player who wins the title without losing a group match can take home up to $539,750.
• Participation Fee: Every player receives $154,000 just for taking part (playing all 3 group matches).
• Match Wins: Each round-robin win is worth an additional $37,500.
• Knockout Bonuses:
  • Semi-Final Win: $116,000
  • Final Win: $157,250
• Alternate Fee: The alternate player receives $15,000 even if they do not play.

For players ranked outside the Top 100 (like Engel or Jodar), the participation fee alone can exceed their entire season’s earnings on the Challenger Tour, providing vital funding for coaching and travel in 2026.

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Tournament Schedule

The event takes place over five days, with a condensed format ensuring high-intensity action daily.

• Wednesday, Dec 17 (Day 1): Round Robin Matches (4 matches). Play begins at 12:00 PM local time.
  • Highlights: Blockx vs. Engel; Prizmic vs. Basavareddy.
• Thursday, Dec 18 (Day 2): Round Robin Matches (4 matches).
  • Highlights: Tien vs. Landaluce; Group standings begin to take shape.
• Friday, Dec 19 (Day 3): Round Robin Matches (4 matches).
  • The final day of group play where semi-final spots are decided. Ties are broken by head-to-head records or percentage of sets won.
• Saturday, Dec 20 (Semi-Finals):
  • Semi-Final 1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B (Not before 5:00 PM).
  • Semi-Final 2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A (Not before 7:00 PM).
• Sunday, Dec 21 (The Final):
  • Championship Match: 8:00 PM local time.

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History and Past Champions

First established in 2017 in Milan, Italy, the Next Gen ATP Finals has successfully predicted the future hierarchy of men’s tennis. The list of past champions reads like a “Who’s Who” of the current ATP Top 10.

• 2017 (Milan): Hyeon Chung. The inaugural winner shocked the field. While injuries later derailed his career, his victory validated the concept.
• 2018 (Milan): Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek star used this title to vault into the elite, winning the main ATP Finals just one year later.
• 2019 (Milan): Jannik Sinner. Entering as a wildcard, Sinner dominated the field. By 2024, he was World No. 1 and a multiple Grand Slam champion.
• 2020: Not held due to COVID-19.
• 2021 (Milan): Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard dropped only one set the entire tournament. Within a year, he had won the US Open and become the youngest World No. 1 in history.
• 2022 (Milan): Brandon Nakashima. The American defeated fellow rising star Jiri Lehecka to take the title.
• 2023 (Jeddah): Hamad Medjedovic. The Serbian powerhouse won the first edition held in Saudi Arabia, defeating Arthur Fils in a thrilling five-set final.
• 2024 (Jeddah): João Fonseca. The “Little Monster” from Brazil became the lowest-ranked champion in history, showcasing devastating power to defeat Learner Tien.

Why This Tournament Matters

The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals is more than an exhibition; it is a graduation ceremony. For players like Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx, it is the final stop before they are considered full-fledged tour veterans rather than “prospects.”

The history of the event suggests that the winner in Jeddah this week is not just collecting a check; they are putting the rest of the tour on notice. Whether it is the tactical brilliance of Tien, the raw power of Blockx, or the underdog story of Engel, the champion crowned on December 21st will carry the mantle of the “Next Gen” into the 2026 season.

With the “Big Three” era firmly in the rearview mirror and the Alcaraz/Sinner era in full swing, the tennis world watches Jeddah to answer one question: Who is next?