Tennis News

Next Gen ATP Finals Photos: Best images from round-robin play in Jeddah

Round-robin play at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF concluded Friday in Jeddah after three days of competition featuring eight of the best 20-and-under players.

Learner Tien beat Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in the final group-stage match to finish first in the Blue Group with a 2-1 record. Alexander Blockx remained undefeated in the Red Group, posting a 3-0 record. Both advanced to the semi-finals, alongside Budkov Kjaer and Nishesh Basavareddy.

View some photos from the round-robin action. All photo credits belong to Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.

<img alt=”Learner Tien at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/19/01/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-tien.jpg” />
^{Learner Tien.}

<img alt=”Alexander Blockx with a kid at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/18/48/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-blockx.jpg” />
^{Alexander Blockx.}

<img alt=”Nishesh Basavareddy on Day 3 of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/17/37/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-basavareddy.jpg” />
^{Nishesh Basavareddy.}

<img alt=”Martin Landaluce on Day 1 of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/17/49/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-landaluce.jpg” />
^{Martin Landaluce.}

<img alt=”Rafael Jodar at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/17/43/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-jodar.jpg” />
^{Rafael Jodar.}

<img alt=”Fans supporting Justin Engel at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/18/42/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-engel-fans.jpg” />
^{Justin Engel fans in the stands.}

<img alt=”Justin Engel at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/19/05/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-engel.jpg” />
^{Justin Engel.}

<img alt=”Nicolai Budkov Kjaer on Day 2 of the Next Gen ATP Finals 2025.” style=”width:100′;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/18/05/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-budkov-kjaer.jpg” />
^{Nicolai Budkov Kjaer}

<img alt=”Dino Prizmic at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/18/54/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-prizmic.jpg” />
^{Dino Prizmic.}

<img alt=”Alexander Blockx on Day 2 of the Next Gen ATP Finals.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/18/25/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-blockx-bh.jpg” />
^{Alexander Blockx}

<img alt=”Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/19/19/03/jeddah-2025-round-robin-gallery-stadium.jpg” />
^{A general view of the stadium at the King Abdullah Sports City.}

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'I still have dreams' – Wawrinka to retire after 2026

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka says that 2026 will be his final season as a professional.

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Wawrinka announces 'one last push': 2026 will be his last year

Stan Wawrinka announced on social media on Friday that 2026 will be his last year on tour.

The Swiss player has won 16 tour-level titles, including three major trophies, and rose to a career-high No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

“ONE LAST PUSH,” Wawrinka wrote. “Every book needs an ending. It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour.”

🎾ONE LAST PUSH🎾
Every book needs an ending📕
It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player 📝
2026 will be my last year on tour

P perseverance
A ambition
S sacrifice
S success
I injuries
O obsession
N never give up

D discipline
R… pic.twitter.com/CJlA8gCN8Y

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) December 19, 2025

Known for possessing one of the most elegant one-handed backhands in the game, Wawrinka’s career hit new heights in the middle of the 2010s, winning trophies at the Australian Open in 2014, Roland Garros in 2015 and the US Open in 2016.

Wawrinka has reached the Nitto ATP Finals on four occasions, highlighted by three consecutive semi-final runs from 2013-15. He has earned at least three Lexus ATP Head2Head wins against each member of the Big Three — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — and defeated former World No. 1 Andy Murray 10 times.

Wawrinka is set to open his final season in Perth at the United Cup, which begins 2 January.

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Safeguarding at the ATP

1) Safeguarding at ATP
ATP is committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment across all ATP tournaments worldwide. Safeguarding is central to our values and to the way we protect the dignity, wellbeing and rights of everyone involved in professional tennis.

Safeguarding at ATP applies to players, player support teams, staff, officials, volunteers, children, adults at risk and anyone participating in or attending ATP tournaments.

2) Report a Concern:
If something feels wrong, report it. Anyone can report a safeguarding concern, including players, staff, volunteers, parents, spectators or members of the public.

You can report a concern in the following ways:

• Submit an online safeguarding report form
• Email: safeguarding@atptour.com
• Speak to the Tournament Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)
• Use the anonymous reporting option (report@atptour.realresponse.uk or +1(904)-372-1287)

If someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services first. You can then report the concern to the tournament DSO or ATP.

All reports are taken seriously and handled confidentially.

3) What Safeguarding means at ATP
Safeguarding at ATP means taking action to prevent harm, respond to concerns and promote a culture of safety and respect at our tournaments. It is about protecting people, especially players, children and adults at risk, and making sure concerns are taken seriously and handled with care.

Our safeguarding approach is guided by the following principles:

• Trauma-informed care: The Safeguarding Programme is rooted in trauma-informed care principles, aiming to prevent recurring traumatic experiences and restore a sense of safety, power, and self-worth. The Programme aims to prioritise the wellbeing of everyone involved in ATP tournaments, particularly all children, adults at risk and any person with lived experience of abuse.
• Shared responsibility: Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All Covered Persons are expected to uphold the principles of the Safeguarding Programme and collaborate to ensure a safe professional tennis environment during ATP tournaments.
• Champion safety: ATP treats safeguarding concerns and allegations seriously, striving for prompt responses.
• Work together: ATP collaborates with other organizations, in and beyond tennis, to enhance safeguarding standards and best practice.

4) Roles & Responsibilities
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. While everyone has a role to play, certain responsibilities are clearly defined.

• Tournament Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO):
  Acts as the main point of contact for safeguarding at the tournament, receives concerns and works closely with ATP to ensure appropriate action is taken.
• ATP Director of Safeguarding:
  Oversees the ATP Safeguarding Programme, assesses and investigates concerns, and ensures consistent safeguarding standards across tournaments.
• Safeguarding Advisory Panel
  A group of independent professionals with a background in safeguarding or tennis to lead the ATP in it’s safeguarding commitments.
• Everyone involved in ATP tournaments:
  Players, staff, officials and volunteers are expected to act respectfully, maintain appropriate boundaries and report concerns.

5) ATP Safeguarding Programme

You can download the ATP Safeguarding Programme here.

6) Contact & Support
ATP takes a trauma-informed approach to safeguarding. Support, care and dignity are central to how concerns are handled.

Director of Safeguarding:
Andrew Azzopardi
andrew.azzopardi@atptour.com
+44 7354 843986

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Basavareddy qualifies for Next Gen ATP Finals SFs after Blockx wins first set

Nishesh Basavareddy has advanced to the semi-finals at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF after Alexander Blockx won the first set against Dino Prizmic on Friday afternoon in Jeddah.

In the first match of the day, Basavareddy defeated Justin Engel 4-3(3), 4-2, 4-3(5) to end Red Group with a 2-1 record and knew he would qualify for the last four if Prizmic failed to defeat Blockx in straight sets in the second match of the day.

In a fast start, Blockx won the first-set tie-break against Prizmic 4-3(4) to seal Basavareddy’s semi-final spot. Blockx had already secured his place in the last four, going 2-0 through his opening matches.

Basavareddy is making his second appearance at the 20-and-under event and made a flying start this week when he beat Prizmic in his opener. After falling to Blockx, Basavareddy responded with a stable performance against Engel, winning the majority of the baseline exchanges and rallying from 3/5 in the third-set tie-break to triumph after 70 minutes.

“I didn’t look at any of that [the permutations],” Basavreddy said. “In the third set, I was thinking maybe if I win this in straight sets it would be better for my cause, but before the match, I was just trying to prepare the best I could for this match.”

Basavareddy is being supported by coach Gilles Cervara at a tournament for the first time this week. The French coach joined forces with the World No. 167 in December after parting ways with former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in August. Read more about Basavareddy and Cervara’s partnership here.

“In the short time we have been together we have already made some improvements, him and my fitness coach,” Basavareddy said on Cervara. “I think we have progressed a lot physically and I think my serve today was a lot better than it normally is.”

Engel exits the event having gone 0-3 this week. The German will be disappointed to have finished his impressive year, highlighted by an ATP Challenger Tour title and a quarter-final run at the ATP 250 event in Stuttgart, without a match win. However, the youngest player in this year’s field will take the learnings from the week into the new season.

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Day 3 Preview: Tien vs. Budkov Kjaer caps thrilling RR finale in Jeddah

There are three semi-final spots up for grabs on Friday, the final day of round-robin action at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah.

Alexander Blockx, who leads Red Group, is the only player through, while Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is 2-0 in Blue Group. Last year’s finalist Learner Tien will look to disrupt the Norwegian’s rhythm when they face off in the final match of the day, following close friends Martin Landaluce and Rafael Jodar’s first tour-level meeting. 

Nishesh Basavareddy opens play in the Red Group against Justin Engel and Blockx faces Dino Prizmic.  

View Day 3 schedule here | View Qualification Scenarios here

[1] Learner Tien (USA) vs [5] Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (NOR) [second match from 7 p.m.] Budkov Kjaer has been untouchable so far, leading the Blue Group at 2-0, but Tien believes he can halt the Norwegian’s charge. The World No. 28 and lone Top 100 player in the field, Tien has yet to hit top form — squandering four match points in an error-filled loss to Jodar — though he showed signs of resurgence in a four-set comeback win over Landaluce.

Last year’s finalist knows what it takes to win in Jeddah and faces a stern test against Budkov Kjaer, who has overwhelmed opponents with his baseline power and consistency. The 19-year-old, owner of a Tour-leading four Challenger titles this season, will aim to complete a perfect 3-0 group sweep and become the first Norwegian to reach the semi-finals in tournament history.

[4] Martin Landaluce (ESP) vs [7] Rafael Jodar (ESP) [not before 7 p.m.] Childhood friends Landaluce and Jodar will set aside familiarity for an anticipated clash, with both debutants needing victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive. The Madrid natives have competed together since they were nine, but only one will have the possibility to extend his 2025 season.

Landaluce has struggled to impose his aggressive style thus far and is 0-2 and could be tested by Jodar’s high-risk, high-reward game. Jodar saved four match points for the biggest win of his career against Tien earlier in the week, but also leaked 34 unforced errors in defeat to Budkov Kjaer — a flaw he must rein in a match primed for tension and drama.

[6] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) vs [8] Justin Engel (GER) [not before 2 p.m.] Competing in Jeddah for the second consecutive year, Basavareddy is aiming to improve upon last year’s 1-2 match record and qualify for the semi-finals. The American, who is accompanied in Jeddah by new coach Gilles Cervara, will look to bounce back from his three-set defeat to Blockx. The 20-year-old is 1-1 this week.

Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Engel, the youngest player in the field, is vying for his first win in his debut appearance. The German has suffered a pair of four-set defeats, but has shown plenty of firepower from the baseline, a trait he will look to use against Basavareddy. In June, Engel became the second-youngest player since 1990 to win a tour-level match (excluding Davis Cup) on all three surfaces: hard, clay and grass. Only Rafael Nadal accomplished the feat at a younger age. He then became the youngest ATP Challenger champion of 2025 with his October triumph in Hamburg.

[2] Alexander Blockx (BEL) vs [3] Dino Prizmic (CRO) [second match from 2 p.m.]
Blockx has showcased his clutch instincts this week, building a 2-0 record in Red Group highlighted by two narrow tie-break wins on Thursday against Basavareddy. The 20-year-old dramatically saved three set points in the second-set tie-break alone. Showcasing his hefty serve and raw firepower from the baseline, Blockx has saved 12 of the 13 break points he’s faced across two matches, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

The 20-year-old is the first Belgian to reach the semi-finals in the tournament’s eight-year history, but his attention will first be on avenging his February loss to Prizmic, who beat Blockx 6-3, 6-2 at an indoor-hard ATP Challenger event in Lugano. Prizmic earned his debut win Thursday against Engel to improve to 1-1 in round-robin action.

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ATP Partners Summit 2025 brings global partners together in Jeddah

The ATP this week hosted the 2025 ATP Partners Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bringing together senior representatives from across the Tour’s global partner portfolio for two days of collaboration, insight-sharing and strategic discussion.

Held alongside the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, the Summit marked the first time the annual partners gathering has taken place in Jeddah, reinforcing the growing connection between the ATP and Saudi Arabia as the Tour continues to expand its global footprint.

The ATP Partners Summit is held annually at different Tour destinations and has previously taken place in cities including Monte-Carlo, Rome, Dubai, London, Estoril and Madrid. The event provides a dedicated forum for partners to engage directly with ATP leadership, exchange best practices and explore opportunities to further grow the game together.

[ATP APP]

Across the two-day programme, a wide range of topics have been discussed, including the ATP’s long-term strategic vision, fan engagement, data-driven decision-making, sustainability, and the evolving role of partnerships in sport. The Summit also featured contributions from leading external speakers, including SURJ, TikTok, Two Circles, GWI and GSIQ, offering insights into platform innovation, partnership activation, fan intelligence and performance measurement. Sessions also explored how partners can activate more effectively across platforms and leverage players to deepen fan connection.

In addition to the business sessions, partners experienced the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF firsthand, including a venue tour, player meet-and-greet and live match action, offering a unique opportunity to see the ATP’s future stars in action.

Speaking at the Summit, ATP Chief Business Officer Daniele Sano said: “The 2025 Partners Summit follows a period of strong momentum for the ATP’s commercial programme, including the onboarding of five new global partners and the renewal of six existing partnership agreements in 2025, reflecting continued confidence in the Tour’s long-term strategy and global reach.”

The ATP Partners Summit concluded with a shared focus on innovation, collaboration and long-term value creation, as the Tour and its partners look ahead to the 2026 season and beyond.

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Budkov Kjaer moves to the brink of semi-finals at Next Gen ATP Finals, Tien earns crucial win

Nicolai Budkov Kjaer moved to the brink of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF semi-finals on Thursday in Jeddah, where he overcame Spaniard Rafael Jodar 4-1, 4-2, 1-4, 4-2.

The Norwegian produced an impressive display to defeat Martin Landaluce in four sets in his Blue Group opener and is now 2-0 this week after resisting a mid-match fightback from Jodar in the King Abdullah Sports City.

“I’m just trying to focus on winning the matches, but to be qualified [would be] cool, so I hope it happens,” said Budkov Kjaer. “I started off great… Every shot I played went in, and Rafa was probably a bit nervous, which is probably normal. It’s tough to play a match after a big win. I’m very happy with the win of course.”

In front of a lively crowd, Budkov Kjaer fired two aces and an unreturned first serve in his final service game to wrap up victory in 79 minutes. With his win, he earned a dose of Jodar revenge, having lost to the Spaniard in the 2024 US Open boys’ singles final.

In a standout season, the Norwegian has won four ATP Challenger Tour titles and climbed from outside the Top 500 in the PIF ATP Rankings to No. 138.

Jodar, a three-time Challenger Tour champion this year, upset World No. 28 Learner Tien in his Jeddah opener to record his first Top 100 win. The 19-year-old Spaniard is 1-1 this week and will meet Landaluce in his final round-robin match, still very much in contention for a semi-final berth.

In the final match on Day 2, Tien earned victory in a crucial must-win match against Landaluce to stay alive in Jeddah. The 20-year-old squandered four match points in his opening defeat to Jodar on Wednesday but ensured history did not repeat itself against Landaluce, recovering after failing to serve out the match at 3-1, 40/0 in the fourth set.

After wasting four more match point opportunities on Day 2 in Jeddah, Tien recomposed himself in the fourth-set tie-break, upping the aggression to eventually record a 1-4, 4-1, 4-3(4), 4-3(2) win against the 19-year-old Spaniard.

Tien advanced to the title match at the 20-and-under event last season, falling to Joao Fonseca in the final. The American will aim to leave Saudi Arabia with the crown this week and is now 1-1 in Blue Group play. The lefty will meet Blue Group leader Budkov Kjaer in his final round-robin match on Friday.

Tien arrived in Jeddah as the strong tournament favourite following a breakthrough season on Tour. He won his first ATP Tour title at the 250 event in Metz, recorded five Top 10 wins and enjoyed a fourth-round run at the Australian Open, climbing to a career-high No. 28.

Landaluce, a Challenger Tour champion this season, is 0-2 this week.

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Knowles teams with McEnroe & more at Baha Mar Cup fundraiser

Mark Knowles, former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, hosted the sixth annual Baha Mar Cup this past weekend. The star-studded fundraising event, featuring John McEnroe alongside many ATP and WTA stars as well as celebrities, raised more than $300,000 for the Baha Mar Foundation, which benefits the Mark Knowles Charity Tennis Initiative.

The four-day event in the Bahamas featured exhibition matches, a celebrity pro-am, multiple clinics, and much more. In addition to Knowles and McEnroe, the Baha Mar Cup was highlighted by a list of active and former professional tennis players, including Tommy Paul, James Blake, Milos Raonic, Jessica Pegula, Victoria Azarenka, Sabine Lisicki, Olga Savchuk and Spencer Papa.

^{ATP Tour and Hologic WTA Tour stars in attendance at the 2025 Baha Mar Cup. Credit: Creviiimedia}

Those were not the only celebrities on hand. Actor Jason Isaacs, renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, The Bachelor and Dancing With The Stars personality Joey Graziadei and professional golfer Matt Kuchar were also in attendance.

“It was a fantastic weekend of fun, laughter and sport all in the spirit of giving back to children’s charities in my beautiful country,” said Knowles, the Bahamian who won 55 tour-level doubles titles in his career, including three major trophies with long-time partner Daniel Nestor.

“Thank you to all of the pros, celebrities, amateurs and the entire staff for putting on the most amazing event of the season.”

<img alt=”From left to right: Jason Isaacs, Tommy Paul, Mark Knowles and Marcus Samuelsson.” style=”width:100%” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/18/16/02/baha-mar-2025-december.jpg” />
^{From left to right: Jason Isaacs, Tommy Paul, Mark Knowles and Marcus Samuelsson. Credit: Creviiimedia}

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Basavareddy discusses 'huge' Cervara partnership

Nishesh Basavareddy knows exactly what is at stake on Friday at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. After splitting his first two round-robin matches, the 20-year-old American heads into a must-win clash with Justin Engel, with a semi-final berth hanging in the balance.

Pressure moments are nothing new at this level, but this time Basavareddy faces them with a fresh, heavyweight presence courtside. Working alongside him for the first time at a tournament is Gilles Cervara, one of the most respected coaches on the ATP Tour.

Cervara guided Daniil Medvedev to the 2021 US Open and No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2022. He joined forces with Basavareddy in December following his split with Medvedev in August. For Basavareddy, the move felt natural.

“My team reached out to his team after we heard about his split with Daniil,” Basavareddy told ATPTour.com in Jeddah. “We just thought it’d be a great fit with all his experience and his mindset. I’m really glad it worked out.”

The partnership represents a new challenge for both. For Cervara, it’s a return to the developmental process with a rising talent. For Basavareddy, it’s a chance to accelerate his growth with someone who has already mapped the road to the very top.

Early conversations between player and coach have focused on the foundations of game, body and long-term sustainability.

“The game is a huge, huge aspect,” Basavareddy said on what they have been working on in December. “Physically, that’s also a big area I can continue to improve in. We’re trying to build the right team around us to improve that side. I’ve also put a lot of work into my serve.”

Basavareddy reached the semi-finals at the ATP 250 in Auckland in January and then took a set off Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. However, he was unable to find his best level for large parts of the season, with his other tour-level wins coming in Cincinnati, Los Cabos, Winston-Salem and Hangzhou.

Short-term priorities for the pair are now clear, with a focus on conditioning and preparation for the 2026 season. Beyond that, the vision widens.

“Initially it’s to try to get healthy, try to get ready for the new season and then moving forward, just try to become the best player I can be and see how far, how far we can go up the rankings.”

Basavereddy knows having a coach who has navigated tennis’s highest peaks is invaluable. In 2019, Cervara was named the ATP Coach of the Year in the ATP Awards. Medvedev earned his first two of six ATP Masters 1000 trophies that season, won the Nitto ATP Finals in 2020, claimed his first major trophy in 2021 at the US Open and then reached No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2022, all under Cervara’s guidance.

“It’s huge,” Basavareddy said. “This first year on Tour I’ve learned a lot. There are definitely things I could have done differently. So going forward, it’s nice to have someone who knows the path to get to the top. I think that’ll help me a lot.”

Asked about inevitable parallels to Medvedev, Basavareddy keeps his perspective grounded, though.

“It’s tough to say because we’re completely different players,” Basavareddy added on comparisons. “But I’m glad he believes in me and I believe in myself. Hopefully we can see how far I can go.”

This week, Basavareddy is back on familiar territory in Jeddah, where he also competed last year. The American went 1-2 at the 20-and-under event in 2024 but will look to avoid a repeat of that record at this year’s event when he faces Justin Engel in his final round-robin match on Friday.

“Last year here I was wide-eyed, it was my first big tournament,” said Basavareddy, a two-time ATP Challenger Tour champion. “This year it feels a little more normal. I’m still really excited. It’s one of the biggest events we have.”

That added familiarity comes from a full season on Tour and the lessons that came with it. Now, the No. 167 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is hoping to finish strong.

“I gained a lot of valuable insight and experience,” he said. “I definitely feel much more experienced than last year. Let’s hope to end 2025 with some success.”

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