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Tien returns, Jodar debuts as Day 1 in Jeddah begins

It is time to see which young star solidifies their place among the elite list of champions at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where Day 1 of round-robin action begins Wednesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

All eight competitors will play on opening day, including last year’s finalist Learner Tien, who faces Spaniard Rafael Jodar in an evening showdown. Tien headlines Blue Group while the top seed in Red Group Alexander Blockx begins his campaign against 18-year-old German Justin Engel.

[1] Learner Tien (USA) vs [7] Rafael Jodar (ESP) [not before 7 p.m.]
Tien competed last year in Jeddah as No. 122 in the PIF ATP Rankings, and after a breakthrough season, the 20-year-old arrives for his return trip as a Top 30 player. In his final ATP Tour event of the 2025 season, Tien was crowned champion in Metz, his first tour-level trophy.

The intrigue lies in the clash of styles between the lefty Tien and Jodar. While the American’s game is built on crafty court coverage and brickwall consistency, Jodar, the 19-year-old debutant, will look to take the initiative and dictate from the baseline.

Last season, Jodar was a sparring partner at this very event and now he is one of the eight competitors at the 20-and-under event. Jodar enjoyed a standout ATP Challenger season, during which he became the third Spanish teenager to win at least three titles at that level, joining World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and former No. 9 Nicolas Almagro. The Madrid native triumphed in Hersonissos, Lincoln and Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, where he is a sophomore.

<img alt=”Learner Tien at the Silver Sands Beach ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/15/30/next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day-tien.jpg?w=100%25″ />
^{Learner Tien at the Silver Sands Beach ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals. Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}

[4] Martin Landaluce (ESP) vs [5] Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (NOR) [Following Tien-Jodar]
For the first time in the eight-year history of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, there are two Spaniards in the field. Alongside Jodar in Blue Group is his close friend Landaluce, both of whom grew up training at Club de Tenis Chamartin in Madrid.

Landaluce and Budkov Kjaer met three times on the ATP Challenger circuit this year, with the Spaniard victorious on each occasion. Budkov Kjaer, 19, was one of six players to win four ATP Challenger titles this season.

[3] Dino Prizmic (CRO) vs [6] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) [2 p.m.]
Prizmic and Basavareddy will kickstart this year’s edition with their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. Basavareddy, who recently welcomed coach Gilles Cervara to his team, is competing in Jeddah for the second consecutive year.

Among Prizmic’s season highlights was a second tour-level quarter-final appearance on home soil in Umag, where he also reached the last eight in 2023. The Croatian won two ATP Challenger titles this year and reached three additional finals.

<img alt=”Dino Prizmic ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/06/prizmic-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />
^{Dino Prizmic in Jeddah. Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}

[2] Alexander Blockx (BEL) vs [8] Justin Engel (GER) [not before 3 p.m.]
The 18-year-old Engel is the youngest competitor in the field, which historically has been a promising sign. Jannik Sinner (2019), Carlos Alcaraz (2021), and Joao Fonseca (2024) all lifted the trophy as the youngest participants in their respective draws.

Engel was the youngest ATP Challenger champion of 2025 with his triumph in Hamburg. He also reached the Stuttgart ATP 250 quarter-finals as a wild card, then ranked No. 281 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Blockx, who won two ATP Challenger titles this year, secured his maiden tour-level match win at the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. He then added to that count in Metz, where he was competing in the main draw via the Next Gen Accelerator pathway.

ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
CENTRE COURT start 2:00 pm
[3] Dino Prizmic (CRO) vs [6] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA)

Not Before 3:00 pm
[2] Alexander Blockx (BEL) vs [8] Justin Engel (GER)

Not Before 7:00 pm
[1] Learner Tien (USA) vs [7] Rafael Jodar (ESP)
[4] Martin Landaluce (ESP) vs [5] Nicolai Budkov Kjaer (NOR)

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View photos from Jeddah media day

The eight players in Jeddah for the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF are enjoying off-court festivities ahead of the tournament. Among the media day events, they posed for the official group photo and enjoyed water activities, including jet skiing.

Justin Engel, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Learner Tien, Alexander Blockx, Rafael Jodar and Nishesh Basavareddy comprise the 20-and-under field. Group play begins Wednesday, with the final on Sunday.

View photos from the off-court activities in Jeddah. All photo credits belong to Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.

<img alt=”Learner Tien at the Silver Sands Beach ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/15/30/next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day-tien.jpg?w=100%25″ />
^{Learner Tien.}

<img alt=”Nishesh Basavareddy ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/15/50/basavareddy-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />
^{Nishesh Basavareddy.}

<img alt=”Alexander Blockx ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/02/blockx-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />
^{Alexander Blockx.}

<img alt=”Dino Prizmic ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/06/prizmic-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />
^{Dino Prizmic.}

<img alt=”Justin Engel ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/09/engel-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />
^{Justin Engel.}

<img alt=”Martin Landaluce ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/13/landaluce-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />^{Martin Landaluce.}

<img alt=”Rafael Jodar ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/17/jodar-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />^{Rafael Jodar.}

<img alt=”Nicolai Budkov Kjaer ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/28/budkov-kjaer-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day.jpg” />^{Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.}

<img alt=”Justin Engel enjoys jet ski ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/34/engel-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day-2.jpg” />^{Justin Engel.}

<img alt=”Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/40/budkov-kjaer-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-media-day-3.jpg” />^{Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.}

<img alt=”Justin Engel in Jeddah ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/45/engel-jeddah-2025-media-day.jpg” />^{Justin Engel.}

<img alt=”Nishesh Basavareddy on a jet ski ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. ” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/53/basavareddy-jeddah-2025-media-day.jpg” />^{Nishesh Basavareddy.}

<img alt=”Dino Prizmic in Jeddah ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/16/59/prizmic-jeddah-2025-media-day.jpg” />^{Dino Prizmic.}

<img alt=”Martin Landaluce in Jeddah ahead of the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/16/17/02/landaluce-jeddah-2025-media-day.jpg” />^{Martin Landaluce.}

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Alcaraz's daring comeback vs. Fils in Monte-Carlo voted ATP Tour's Match of the Year

A furious blur of shotmaking and nerve, Carlos Alcaraz’s quarter-final victory over Arthur Fils at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters has been voted by fans as the ATP Tour’s Match of the Year for 2025.

The two young stars produced a blistering spectacle in their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, one that felt like the birth of a long-term rivalry. Fils unloaded explosive, heavy groundstrokes from the baseline to grab the opening set before Alcaraz mounted the kind of miraculous escape that would become a theme of his title run, prevailing 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 after two hours, 23 minutes.

In the fan vote, the Alcaraz-Fils thriller fended off strong competition, including Jannik Sinner’s marquee championship-match triumph in Vienna over Alexander Zverev and a gruelling, three-hour Athens final between Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti.

It was, however, Alcaraz’s mix of quality, courage and chaos in Monte-Carlo that made his triumph the match that supporters deemed the year’s unforgettable standout.

Watch Alcaraz vs. Fils Highlights:

Saving three break points at 5-5, 0/40 in the second set and later overturning a 1-3 deficit in the third, Alcaraz repeatedly absorbed Fils’ pace and power before counterpunching with trademark flair. The Spaniard’s nerve under pressure not only cracked Fils’ resistance but also marked one of three victories from a set down on his way to a maiden triumph in the Principality.

“I think his level is high right now and he puts a lot of pressure on his opponents,” Alcaraz said of Fils. “Today I could feel it but in some moments he just made a few mistakes. I tried to make the most of those points and wait for my chances.”

It marked one of eight tour-level trophies across the season for Alcaraz, who also clinched Roland Garros and US Open crowns en route to reclaiming ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours for the first time since 2022. The Spaniard also produced a clay-court thriller in the Roland Garros final, delivering an epic comeback to stun rival Sinner for the crown. That match topped the list of Best Grand Slam matches from 2025. 

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Federer returns to Australian Open, to play exhibition during Opening Ceremony

Roger Federer will return to the Australian Open in January, taking the court in an exhibition match featuring three other ATP No. 1 Club members: Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.

The season’s first major will launch a new tradition of having an Opening Ceremony the night before main-draw action begins. The Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday, January 17 at Rod Laver Arena.

“It feels like a lifetime ago that I coined the phrase the ‘Happy Slam’ for the Australian Open, and it still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I’ve had here,” said Federer, a six-time Australian Open champion, in a press release.

“I’ve experienced so many emotions on Rod Laver Arena… The joy of lifting ‘Norman’ [the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup] six times, the honour of playing in front of Rod Laver himself, the challenge of competing against my biggest rivals, and always the overwhelming love and support of the Australian fans.

“Coming back to win the AO in 2017 is one of my most treasured Grand Slam memories and backing it up to win in 2018 was another dream come true in Melbourne. I can’t wait to come down under again to the AO and create more fantastic moments with all the Aussie fans.”

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Tournament director Craig Tiley added: “I’m thrilled we’re introducing this very special AO Opening Ceremony. While the AO has a reputation for innovation and is renowned for pushing the boundaries, we are also the custodians of a proud 120-year history filled with some of the sport’s greatest champions.

“This inaugural Opening Ceremony will mark the start of a new tennis season in spectacular fashion. I can’t wait to see Roger back on Rod Laver Arena, along with other greats of the game, Andre, Pat and Lleyton. And I know fans across Australia will be just as excited to share this moment with him.”

The 2026 Australian Open runs from 18 January-1 February. Italian Jannik Sinner is the two-time defending champion while Carlos Alcaraz, World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will be seeking his maiden Melbourne title in pursuit of completing the Career Grand Slam.

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Can young gun Engel come of age in Jeddah?

Being the youngest player in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF field has historically been a promising sign. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Joao Fonseca all lifted the trophy as the youngest participants in their respective draws at the event in 2019, 2021 and 2024, and this week, Justin Engel will aim to follow in their footsteps.

The 18-year-old German is the youngest competitor in the eight-man draw, having secured his spot in the tournament after a successful season that included an ATP Challenger Tour title in Hamburg. So, does being the youngest alleviate any pressure? Not for Engel, who, with refreshing confidence, told ATPTour.com on Silver Sands Beach in Jeddah that he doesn’t feel pressure.

“I never have pressure,” Engel said during Monday’s media day. “Of course, I get a little nervous before matches, but that’s normal. If you’re not nervous, you’re not taking your sport seriously. But pressure? No, I don’t feel that.”

Twelve months ago, Fonseca, then 18, was both the lowest-ranked and youngest player in the draw. Yet he powered through his opponents to leave Jeddah with the title, setting the stage for his rapid rise. The Brazilian built on that breakthrough triumph by winning two ATP Tour titles in 2025 and climbing to a career-high No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Engel is aware of potential comparisons if he were to go deep in Jeddah, especially since he recently became the second-youngest player after Rafael Nadal to win a tour-level match on all three surfaces. However, he remains firmly focused on his own path.

“I don’t really look at what they have done. They won this tournament, but I don’t really think much about it,” Engel said. “I just try to play my best tennis and go on court and have fun, that’s the focus.”

Engel’s love for tennis began at the age of three in Nuremberg, where he grew up idolising Nadal. In 2024, he secured his maiden tour-level win in Almaty, marking a significant milestone in his career. The No. 187 player in the PIF ATP Rankings built on this success with a victory on clay in Hamburg and an impressive quarter-final run at the ATP 250 grass-court event in Stuttgart, showcasing his versatility across surfaces.

“The fans really made a difference for me in Germany, especially in Stuttgart and Hamburg,” Engel said. “Playing in front of them was incredible. Hamburg was my favourite tournament because it’s an ATP 500, and winning against one of my friends, Jan-Lennard Struff, made it even more special. That period was a real boost for me.”

In Saudi Arabia, Engel will hope to bring his best when he meets Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, and Nishesh Basavareddy in the round-robin stage, starting on Wednesday against Blockx.

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Best in class go back to school in Jeddah

It was back to school – albeit briefly – for players in Jeddah Tuesday.

One day ahead of the start of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, the eight competitors gathered for a briefing detailing the innovations, rule changes, history and purpose of the tournament, which annually showcases the sport’s best 20-and-under players.

“It’s nice to be here and to know every rule and also all the things that the staff and everyone behind this big tournament have done for us over the whole year,” said Spain’s Martin Landaluce, who will make his Jeddah debut after serving as last year’s alternate. “It’s nice to be here and to meet the people who are working to make our life better.”

The innovative tournament, first staged in Milan in 2017, features five sets of first-to-four games, reduced time between points, expanded free fan movement, video review and a reduced three-minute warm-up.

A shot clock will keep matches flowing, with no more than eight seconds allowed between first and second serves and a limit of 15 seconds between points that end in fewer than three shots.

“I like the rules,” Landaluce said. “I like to play to four games; it makes the game dynamic and makes players try to start better and be more energetic.”

Players and coaches will have comprehensive data insights available to fine-tune tactics. Live access to ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF data that tracks player performance will be available on tablets provided in courtside team boxes, allowing coaches to communicate takeaways to players during matches as part of the normal on-court coaching protocol.

Players and coaches will receive video footage tagged with match data post-match. A dedicated tennis analyst is on site for individual education sessions with teams.

More in-arena match statistics and data analytics will be available to fans.

“Sport is increasingly data driven, so providing these stats and analytics to players, teams and fans represents the future direction of the game,” said Tournament Director Adam Hogg.

The eight players compete in two groups Wednesday through Friday, with the semi-finals on Saturday and final Sunday.

Top seed and last year’s finalist Learner Tien leads Blue Group, which features both Spanish players in the eight-man field – Landaluce and Rafael Jodar – plus Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.

Belgian Alexander Blockx heads Red Group, which also features Croatian Dino Prizmic, returning American Nishesh Basavareddy and 18-year-old German Justin Engel, the youngest player in the field.

See Day 1 schedule

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ATP & Rolex renew global partnership, strengthening an iconic shared tennis legacy

The ATP has today announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Rolex. The Swiss watchmaker continues as the Official Timekeeper and Gold Partner of the ATP.

Rolex’s relationship with tennis dates back to 1978, and the brand has since gone on to support many of the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour. Through the renewal, Rolex will remain the Official Timekeeper of the ATP Tour, an Official Partner of the Nitto ATP Finals, the ATP’s flagship season finale, and the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF for the world’s top 20-and-under players, reinforcing its commitment to young talent and the future of the game.

Rolex will maintain year-round brand visibility across the ATP’s social and digital platforms, with content providing match start times and game durations, reaching a global fanbase of over one billion.

Daniele Sano, ATP Chief Business Officer, said: “It’s difficult to understate the commitment Rolex has shown towards our sport and the ATP Tour. For almost 50 years, it has championed the qualities that define tennis – elegance, prestige, and precision. As a valued partner of the ATP since 2005, we’re proud to reinforce such an iconic legacy.”

Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex Director of Communication and Image, said: “Rolex is proud to reaffirm its long-standing commitment to tennis. While celebrating the dedication and remarkable performances at the highest levels of the game, Rolex supports the leading tournaments, governing bodies and players, as they continue to shape the future of the sport.”

Rolex is also an Official Partner of all ATP Masters 1000 events, as well as the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Beyond tennis, the brand holds a significant presence across global sport, including golf, motorsport, yachting and equestrianism.

Rolex counts several leading ATP athletes among its family of Testimonees, including current World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, alongside Ben Shelton, João Fonseca and tennis legends Roger Federer and Björn Borg.

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Scouting Report: Tien, Landaluce, Blockx eye success in Jeddah

After a year of thrilling competition, the 2025 ATP Tour season reaches its conclusion this week at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Eight of the best 20-and-under players will battle for the title, with the action beginning Wednesday at King Abdullah Sports City.

Last year’s finalist, Learner Tien, headlines the field following a breakthrough season. He is set for his second consecutive appearance and will aim to go one better this year after losing to Joao Fonseca in the 2024 final.

Making their Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF debuts are Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Rafael Jodar and Justin Engel, while American Nishesh Basavareddy joins Tien as the only two returners.

Ahead of the innovative event, ATPTour.com looks at the key storylines to follow in Jeddah.

1) Tien Out For Redemption: Tien returns to Jeddah, this time as the top seed and leading contender, aiming to avenge his loss in last year’s final to Fonseca. The 20-year-old American has enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season, highlighted by his maiden tour-level title in Metz, a run to the final at the ATP 500 event in Beijing, and five victories over Top 10 opponents. Now at a career-high No. 28 in the PIF ATP Rankings, he intends to cap his memorable season by capturing the title.

2) Landaluce & Jodar Represent Spain: Close friends and countrymen, Landaluce and Jodar are set for their debuts in Jeddah, a leap from their supporting roles last year as an alternate and hitting partner, respectively. In 2025, Landaluce lifted the trophy at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Orleans, France and advanced to the second round at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati. Jodar, who currently plays for the University of Virginia, qualified for Jeddah after winning three Challenger titles in the final three months of the season. They’re both placed in the Blue Group alongside Tien and Budkov Kjaer.

3) Basavareddy Returns, Backed By Cervara: Basavareddy is back for his second consecutive year in Jeddah. He returns with a solid foundation, having secured tour-level match wins in Cincinnati, Winston-Salem, and Hangzhou, and reaching the semi-finals in Auckland at the beginning of the season. He now aims for bigger results under the guidance of new coach Gilles Cervara, who led Daniil Medvedev to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

4) Engel, Youngest Player, Hunts Glory: 18-year-old Engel is the youngest player in the field and the first German ever to qualify. This season, he became the first player born in 2007 to win a Challenger title (Hamburg), and the second-youngest player (after Rafael Nadal) to earn a tour-level win on all three surfaces. Engel now hopes to join Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Fonseca as the only 18-year-old winners of the event.

5) Budkov Kjaer Leads Five Former Junior Grand Slam Champions: Norwegian Budkov Kjaer enjoyed a breakout season, winning a Tour-leading four ATP Challenger Tour titles. The 2024 Wimbledon boys’ champion is one of five players in the field to have captured a junior Grand Slam title, alongside fellow titlists Landaluce (US Open 2022), Blockx (Australian Open 2023), Prizmic (Roland Garros 2023), and Jodar (US Open 2024).

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ATP announces new rules over playing in extreme heat

The ATP introduces a new extreme heat rule from 2026 which will allow players on the men’s tour to take a 10-minute cooling break during best-of-three sets singles matches.

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Djokovic to compete in Adelaide

Novak Djokovic will return to Adelaide, tournament organisers revealed Tuesday in Australia.

The Serbian will compete in the Adelaide International, an ATP 250 event that will take place from 12-17 January.

“It definitely felt like playing at home, that’s for sure,” Djokovic said after claiming glory two years ago in Adelaide. “The support that I’ve been getting in the last 10 days, I don’t think I’ve experienced too many times in my life, so thank you so much for everyone for coming out every single match.”

Watch Highlights: Djokovic vs. Korda in 2023 Adelaide final

Djokovic has competed in Adelaide twice before. The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings triumphed in the South Australian city in 2007 and again in 2023. Two years ago, he defeated Daniil Medvedev and Sebastian Korda in the semi-finals and final, respectively.

Other entrants in the Adelaide International include Jack Draper, Joao Fonseca, Tommy Paul and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

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