Next Gen ATP Finals 2025: Day 1 Results and Review
The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals roared to life on Wednesday at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, delivering immediate drama, historic upsets, and a stark reminder of the brutality of the “Fast 4” format.
Day 1 of the season-ending showcase for the world’s best 21-and-under players was defined by a stunning collapse from the tournament favorite and a resilient surge from its lowest-ranked contender. While the Red Group followed the script with wins for its higher seeds, the Blue Group was turned upside down, leaving the path to the semifinals wide open.
Here is the comprehensive review of Day 1 action from Jeddah.
The Headline: Jodar Stuns Top Seed Tien in 5-Set Thriller
Match: Rafael Jodar (ESP) def. [1] Learner Tien (USA)
Score: 1-4, 4-3(3), 1-4, 4-2, 4-3(4)
The opening day’s marquee matchup provided the shock of the tournament thus far. Top seed Learner Tien, ranked No. 28 in the world and widely considered the man to beat, fell to Spanish debutant Rafael Jodar in a match that will be remembered for its chaotic finish.
Jodar, a 19-year-old from the University of Virginia who qualified late for the event, entered the match as the underdog against the tactical brilliance of Tien. For large stretches, the American left-hander appeared in control, using his court craft to dissect Jodar’s power. Tien led two sets to one and looked destined for a routine victory when he held four match points in the deciding fifth set.
However, the unique pressure of the Next Gen format—where momentum shifts in seconds—came to the fore. Serving for the match at 3-1 in the fifth, Tien faltered. A missed backhand into the net and a passive drop shot allowed Jodar to break back, leveling the set. The drama peaked at 3-3, where the match went to a “Sudden Death” deciding point at deuce. Jodar, showing nerves of steel, ripped a backhand winner down the line to save a match point and force a final tie-break.
In the decisive tie-break, Tien’s consistency evaporated. The American committed uncharacteristic unforced errors, while Jodar stepped inside the baseline to dictate with his forehand. Jodar sealed the victory 7-4 in the breaker, securing his first-ever win over a Top 30 player.
“I don’t have any big rivals,” Jodar had said prior to the tournament, but his fearless performance suggested he is ready to compete with anyone. For Tien, the loss is a devastating blow; statistically, he won more points in the match but failed to win the ones that mattered most—a common cruelty of the no-ad scoring system.
Blue Group Recap: Nordic Ice Melts Spanish Fire
Match: [5] Nicolai Budkov Kjær (NOR) def. [4] Martín Landaluce (ESP)
Score: 4-1, 3-4(7), 4-2, 4-3(4)
In the other Blue Group clash, Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjær lived up to the hype as the “next Casper Ruud” with a commanding victory over Spain’s Martín Landaluce.
Budkov Kjær, who won four Challenger titles in 2025, showcased a game perfectly suited for the fast indoor conditions in Jeddah. His flat, penetrating groundstrokes kept Landaluce on the defensive from the opening game. The Norwegian raced through the first set 4-1, capitalizing on a slow start from the Spaniard.
Landaluce, who had beaten Budkov Kjær three times previously this season, fought back to steal the second set in a tight tie-break, leveling the match. However, the 19-year-old Spaniard struggled to maintain his intensity. Budkov Kjær’s serve proved to be the difference maker; he won 76% of his first-serve points and consistently hit his spots under pressure.
The key moment came in the fourth set tie-break. Landaluce jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a double mini-break, looking poised to force a fifth set. But in a collapse reminiscent of his compatriot Alcaraz’s rare off-days, Landaluce lost both his serve and his rhythm. Budkov Kjær reeled off seven of the next eight points to close out the match.
Blue Group Standings after Day 1:
- Nicolai Budkov Kjær (1-0) – Sets: 3-1
- Rafael Jodar (1-0) – Sets: 3-2
- Learner Tien (0-1) – Sets: 2-3
- Martín Landaluce (0-1) – Sets: 1-3
Red Group Recap: Experience and Serving Dominance
While the Blue Group was defined by upsets, the Red Group saw the more experienced tour-level players assert their authority.
Match: [6] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) def. [3] Dino Prižmić (CRO)
Score: 4-2, 4-3(7), 3-4(3), 4-2
American Nishesh Basavareddy, returning for his second Next Gen Finals, utilized his “veteran” experience in this format to dismantle the erratic Dino Prižmić.
The match was a classic clash of styles: Prižmić’s raw power versus Basavareddy’s calculated consistency. The Croatian fired 14 aces and 40 winners, dominating the highlight reel. However, he also committed a staggering 45 unforced errors. Basavareddy, now working with Daniil Medvedev’s former coach Gilles Cervara, absorbed the pace and waited for Prižmić to miss.
“The patience and refusal to deviate from his game plan is what separates players who survive at this level,” noted analysts regarding Basavareddy’s performance. After dropping the third set, Basavareddy broke immediately in the fourth and held firm to secure his first tour-level win since September.
Match: [2] Alexander Blockx (BEL) def. [8] Justin Engel (GER)
Score: 3-4(7), 4-2, 4-2, 4-2
In the battle of the debutants, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx overcame a slow start to overpower the tournament’s youngest player, 18-year-old Justin Engel.
Engel, the German wildcard, started fearlessly, snatching the first set in a tie-break. But as the match wore on, Blockx’s physical maturity took over. The Belgian turned the match into a serving clinic, firing 17 aces and winning 85% of his first-serve points.
Once Blockx found his rhythm, Engel had no answer. The German managed only four aces of his own and failed to generate a single break point opportunity in the final three sets. Blockx was clinical on the big points, converting 100% (3/3) of his break point chances to seal a comfortable four-set win.
Red Group Standings after Day 1:
- Alexander Blockx (1-0) – Sets: 3-1 (High % games won)
- Nishesh Basavareddy (1-0) – Sets: 3-1
- Dino Prižmić (0-1) – Sets: 1-3
- Justin Engel (0-1) – Sets: 1-3
Tactical Review: The “Fast 4” Effect
Day 1 highlighted exactly why the Next Gen ATP Finals is such a cruel testing ground. The condensed format punished slow starts and rewarded clutch serving more than traditional tennis.
- The “Sudden Death” Factor: The defining moment of Day 1—Jodar saving match point against Tien—happened on a deciding point. In a normal deuce, Tien would have had another chance. Here, a single point erased his advantage and swung the entire match.
- The Serve Shot Clock: Players like Prižmić seemed rushed by the 8-second rule between first and second serves, contributing to his high unforced error count. Conversely, Blockx used the quick tempo to rhythmically destroy his opponent with aces.
- Momentum Swings: Landaluce’s loss showed how quickly a set can vanish. Leading 3-0 in a tie-break usually guarantees a set win; in this format, a mere two-minute lapse in concentration cost him the match.
Looking Ahead to Day 2
The pressure ramps up significantly on Thursday. The losers from Day 1 now face elimination scenarios, while the winners can book their spots in the semifinals.
- Must-Win Match: Learner Tien vs. Martín Landaluce is now a survival contest. The loser will drop to 0-2, likely ending their tournament hopes. Tien, the pre-tournament favorite, is suddenly fighting for his life.
- Battle for Supremacy: Nicolai Budkov Kjær vs. Rafael Jodar will determine the leader of the Blue Group. With both players riding high from Day 1 wins, this clash will likely decide who avoids the top seed of the Red Group in the semis.
Day 1 in Jeddah proved that rankings mean little when the rules change. The “Next Gen” have arrived, and if Wednesday was any indication, the old hierarchy is already being rewritten.
