Tennis News

Inside Brooksby's comeback: From unranked & unable to hold a phone to glory

Jenson Brooksby could not hold his phone for several months in 2023. His wrists were immobilised, each in a cast for eight weeks, the aftermath of two surgeries performed just two months apart.

It was only fitting that this April, two years after surgery, Brooksby secured his maiden ATP Tour title in poetic fashion, having saved match point in three matches en route to the Houston trophy. Those hard-fought matches were demonstrations of his dedication throughout his comeback… and it was just one chapter.

After starting this season unranked, the 25-year-old climbed as high as No. 51 in the PIF ATP Rankings, not far off his career-high No. 33, which he reached in 2022.

“I haven’t seen anyone who has needed surgeries on both wrists and been able to do that, so I’m very proud of myself,” Brooksby told ATPTour.com in October. “I think it’s a testament of the work I’ve put in and the self-belief I’ve had at the lowest times or at the highest times like right now. I still think I can beat what I’ve done in the past.”

The physical challenges behind Brooksby’s two-year comeback were severe. His right wrist tendon had been between 70 and 80 per cent dislocated, while his left wrist tendon was completely dislocated. Brooksby underwent left wrist surgery in March 2023 and right wrist surgery in May 2023. Brooksby, who competed with heavily taped wrists throughout the 2022 season, tried to avoid the second surgery through rest and rehabilitation, but the discomfort proved impossible to overcome.

Both surgeries were performed by California-based Dr. Steven Shin, who has operated on several sporting icons.

<img alt=”Jenson Brooksby” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2023/05/19/18/31/brooksby-may-2023-surgery.jpg” />
^{Jenson Brooksby in May 2023. Credit: Jenson Brooksby}

Brooksby’s path back to full health was gruelling, testing not only his body, but also his mental fortitude. It was not until 20 months after surgery when he was able to finish a practice match.

“I think having the wrist just getting used to the shock factor of tennis, just with having k-wires [Kirschner wires] in my wrist, [the pain] was really, really high,” Brooksby said. “It took so many months. At times it felt like it was never going to happen, but then you just stay patient with it like you would with anything else and eventually like the rest of the body, it gets used to a certain tolerance or physicality.

“I was in different types of casts for eight weeks on each. For those eight weeks on each wrist, so 16 total weeks, I wasn’t able to do really anything at all. Not even holding the phone or anything. I had to have some serious patience mentally. You couldn’t even use yourself physically, much less a simple thing. I was going a bit crazy.”

The Sacramento native remains one of the Tour’s toughest opponents, boasting brick-wall consistency with razor-sharp court intelligence to outmanoeuvre any rival. His all-court savviness was on full display during his title run at the ATP 250 in Houston, where he began the week as a qualifying wild card at No. 507 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He left with the champion’s trophy, becoming the third-lowest-ranked titlist in ATP Tour history (since 1990).

Brooksby also enjoyed a run to the Eastbourne final and a semi-final showing in Tokyo, further illustrating that he is once again a serious contender. Well inside the Top 100 and approaching a Top 50 return, Brooksby found ways to sharpen his game during his absence.

“I think the biggest reason why I wanted to not just come back, but believed I could be better is because I knew I still had a couple weaker areas where I knew I could get better,” Brooksby said. “I think I was very good from the baseline, but I knew if I could get my serve better than it used to be, play more consistent offensive tennis and add more variety, that I think I could crack the highest levels of tennis.

“I think the biggest thing is I’m looking for more efficient ways to get in the offensive areas of the court and finish off points rather than just staying from the baseline.”

When reflecting on his journey, Brooksby is quick to credit the countless hours of hard work he has poured into his game and the unwavering support of his team. Even amid adversity, he has taken away invaluable lessons.

“I think it just taught a lot of patience in life,” said Brooksby, who in December 2024 publicly revealed he is on the autism spectrum. “To be able to reach your goals takes an extreme amount of patience and consistency and accepting that you’ll be good in some areas and weaker in others and you just have to work with what you’ve got.”

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Alcaraz's ultimate nullifier: Inside the Spaniard's first-serve return success

Carlos Alcaraz possesses the ultimate nullifier in his arsenal.

The ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF is a dynamic all-around player who puts on a show with his shotmaking. But his secret weapon is his first-serve return.

According to an Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis, Alcaraz has led the Tour in first-serve return points won in three consecutive seasons. In 2025, the Spaniard won 35 per cent of those points, with only Jannik Sinner (33.6%) and Francisco Cerundolo (33.4%) winning more than 33 per cent.

First-Serve Return Points Won (2025)

The first serve is a key weapon on the ATP Tour, with many players putting foes on the back foot immediately and earning plenty of free points. Even the Spaniard wins just more than one out of every three first-serve return points. That is why his edge over his rivals in the category is even more important. 

The 22-year-old’s 35 per cent win rate against first serves in 2025 was at least 10 per cent better than seven of the other nine players who finished in the year-end Top 10.  

2025 Year-End Top 10: First-Serve Return Points Won

^{*Draper is not listed on the leaderboard due to not meeting the minimum number of matches played, but would have slotted in at ninth.}

Alcaraz’s first-serve return winning percentage was 33.9 per cent better than World No. 9 Ben Shelton’s (26.2%) and 33.2 per cent better than World No. 6 Taylor Fritz’s (26.3%). 

This was not a one-year success story, either. Alcaraz has dominated the category for years. Dating back to his first season on the ATP Tour in 2021, the 24-time tour-level titlist has never finished outside of the top five on Tour.

Over the past three years, nobody has been close to Alcaraz. His 35 per cent win rate against first serves since 2023 is more than six per cent better than Alex de Minaur, who ranks second on Tour during the same period (32.9%). Daniil Medvedev (32.9%) is right behind De Minaur.

First-Serve Return Points Won (2023-2025)

Alcaraz tallied a 71-9 record in 2025 according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. But there was a trend in his losses: below-average first-serve return performance.

The Tour leader in titles (8) and match wins (71) lost just nine times, and in seven of those defeats he won 31 per cent of his first-serve return points or less. In five of those matches, he claimed at most 27 per cent of his first-serve return points.

The only outliers were in the Australian Open quarter-finals against Novak Djokovic and the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals against Jack Draper. Alcaraz won 36 per cent of points against his opponents’ first serve in those clashes.

On the whole, Alcaraz does a better job than anyone else of neutralising his opponents’ first-serve effectiveness. That was one of the reasons why he was able to finish year-end No. 1 for the second time and will be something the Spaniard will rely on moving into 2026 and beyond.

First-Serve Return Points Won (Career)

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Next Gen ATP Finals Photos: Best images from Tien vs. Blockx title match in Jeddah

The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF concluded Sunday in Jeddah, where Learner Tien defeated Alexander Blockx 4-3(4), 4-2, 4-1 to clinch the title after having finished runner-up last year.

With the win, Tien became the third No. 1 seed to triumph at the prestigious 20-and-under event, joining Stefanos Tsitsipas (2018) and Carlos Alcaraz (2021).

View some of the best photos from the final below. All photo credits belong to Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.

<img alt=”Learner Tien poses with the Next Gen ATP Finals winner trophy.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/19/50/tien-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-trophy-shot.jpg?w=100%25″ />
^{Tien poses with the Next Gen ATP Finals winner’s trophy in Jeddah.}

<img alt=”Alexander Blockx congratulates Learner Tien at the net after Tien defeated him in the final.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/20/12/blockx-tien-next-gen-atp-finals-2025.jpg” />
^{Blockx congratulates Tien at the net after losing to the American.}

<img alt=”Tien with agent Mats Merkel, coaches Erik Kortland and Michael Chang, and Chang’s son Micah.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/19/55/tien-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-final-team.jpg” />
^{Tien with agent Mats Merkel, coaches Erik Kortland and Michael Chang and Chang’s son Micah.}

<img alt=”Learner Tien celebrates his Next Gen ATP Finals victory.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/20/09/tien-celebrates-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-win.jpg” />
^{Tien celebrates his title victory.}

<img alt=”Alexander Blockx in action at the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/18/18/blockx-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-reaction-image.jpg” />
^{Blockx in action.}

^{<img alt=”Learner Tien in action in the final in Jeddah.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/20/16/tien-backhand-next-gen-atp-finals-2025.jpg” />
Tien in action.}

^{<img alt=”Alexander Blockx reacts after winning a point in the Jeddah final.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/20/28/blockx-next-gen-atp-finals-2025-reacts.jpg” />
Blockx reacts after winning a point.}

^{<img alt=”Learner Tien celebrates after winning the Jeddah title.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/20/22/tien-celerates-mext-gen-atp-finals-2025.jpg” />
Tien reacts after defeating Blockx.}

<img alt=”Learner Tien poses with the ballkids after winning the title.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2025/12/21/20/43/ball-kids-tien-next-gen-atp-finals-2025.jpg” />
^{Tien celebrates his title victory with the ballkids.}

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Tien turns promise into proof in Jeddah: 'I pulled it off'

Learner Tien had already begun to carve out his place on the ATP Tour, but his triumph at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF on Sunday delivered a far louder statement.

After defeat to Joao Fonseca in last year’s Jeddah final, the American carried that disappointment into a breakout 2025 season before returning to the 20-and-under showcase as the man to beat. But under mounting expectations, Tien showed maturity beyond his years, saving his finest tennis for a commanding 59-minute clinic over Alexander Blockx in the final.

“It’s very cool to be adding my name to the list of previous winners,” said Tien, who joined the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as champions of the event. “I think every player who has won this tournament has gone on to do very well, so it means a lot to be up there with those names.

“I’ve been waiting a year to hold this trophy… It feels great, especially after coming so close last year.”

A key pillar behind Tien’s rise has been his partnership with former World No. 2 Michael Chang, which began in August. Since then, Chang has helped guide the 20-year-old to his first ATP Tour title in Metz and a career-high ranking of World No. 28. Just as importantly, Chang’s family has become part of Tien’s support system — including Chang’s son Micah, who was courtside to cheer him on in the Jeddah final.

“Since we started working together, him and his whole family have given me so much support,” Tien said. “Micah has been there for a lot of my tournaments… It’s always nice to have him around. It adds a fun side — it makes the matches and some of these tense moments a little bit more lighthearted.”

Learner Tien’s amazing celebration 🍰 😂#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/ikpd8NZucC

— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 21, 2025

The next wave of men’s tennis arrived in Jeddah armed with fearless shotmaking, eager to unsettle the World No. 28 and lone player inside the Top 100. Yet throughout the week, Tien underlined exactly why he has climbed so rapidly in 2025, blending variety, composure and a rock-solid all-court game to stay one step ahead of the field.

His path to the title was anything but straightforward. Tien endured a difficult start, squandering four match points in an opening loss to Rafael Jodar. With his campaign on the brink, he then faced a must-win clash against Nicolai Budkov Kjaer to escape the group. After dropping the first set, the American flipped the script, reeling off nine consecutive sets and carrying that momentum all the way to the title — fittingly avenging his 2024 final defeat.

“If I lost one more set in that match, I would have been eliminated,” Tien said of his four-set win over Budkov Kjaer. “After losing that first set, I won nine sets in a row, actually, so that’s cool. I’m very happy I was able to pull that off.”

Much of the attention in Jeddah centred on Blockx, widely tipped to crack the Top 100 in the near future, but Tien neutralised the Belgian’s explosive game with ease, delivering a one-sided final to close out the week in style.

With the Next Gen crown secured and his trajectory firmly pointing upward, Tien now turns his focus to 2026, where he is set to arrive at the Australian Open as a seeded player — no longer just a rising talent, but a proven force with his sights set on even bigger stages.

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Learner Tien tops the class at Next Gen ATP Finals

Learner Tien continued his rapid rise on Sunday in Jeddah, where he lifted the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF trophy to further cement his status as one of tennis’ most exciting young stars.

In a largely one-sided championship match at the prestigious 20-and-under event, the American defeated 20-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx 4-3(4), 4-2, 4-1, avenging his runner-up finish at the event a year ago in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m super happy,” Tien said about his 2025 season. “I was able to check a lot of boxes that I wanted to this year. I had a pretty long list of goals I wanted to hit, and I was able to get most of them. I’m really happy.”

The title run earned Tien $502,250 in prize money and saw him become just the third top seed to capture the title, following in the footsteps of Stefanos Tsitsipas (2018) and Carlos Alcaraz (2021).

Twelve months earlier, Tien had fallen in a four-set final to Brazil’s Joao Fonseca. Since then, the left-hander has gone from strength to strength. During an impressive 2025 campaign, he claimed his first ATP Tour title in Metz, notched five Top 10 victories, and surged to a career-high No. 28 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

Tien will now look to build on that momentum in 2026, beginning at next month’s Australian Open, where he made headlines last year by becoming the youngest player to reach the fourth round in Melbourne since Rafael Nadal in 2005. Tien had coach Michael Chang by his side this week and will have the American with him when he travels to Australia.

“I don’t feel like he’s a coach that says a lot during matches,” Tien said of Chang. “But when he feels like I need to hear something, he’s never shying away from telling me, and I think that helps me a lot.”

In front of a lively crowd at King Abdullah Sports City, Blockx made an assured start, landing all 21 of his first serves in the opening set (and 24 overall). Yet even that level proved insufficient against Tien’s composure, as the American seized on a handful of loose forehands to edge the first-set tie-break and seize control of the match.

From there, it was one-way traffic, with Tien too consistent and dominant in the baseline exchanges to earn victory in 58 minutes. The lefty crucially saved two break points when serving for the match at 3-2 but was largely untroubled on delivery.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match… I don’t think he missed a first serve for the first set and a half,” said Tien. “I think he’s been playing great, so I’m just really happy to get through.”

Learner’s redemption moment 🏆

Tien takes care of Blockx 4-3(4) 4-2 4-1 to claim the title!
⁰#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/88RnPxLI0K

— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 21, 2025

Earlier this week, Tien suffered a surprising opening round-robin defeat to Rafael Jodar before he responded against Martin Landaluce. He then beat Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in four sets to reach the semi-finals and quickly dispatched countryman Nishesh Basavareddy to advance to the title match.

Despite his final defeat, Blockx can take plenty of positives from a standout week in Jeddah, where he recorded wins against Justin Engel, Basavareddy, Dino Prizmic and close friend Budkov Kjaer.

“I’ve had a lot of fun this week,” said Blockx. “Everything was amazing here — the organisation, the staff… I think it’s one of the best events I’ve been to and the crowd today was amazing, also.”

Ranked No. 116 in the PIF ATP Rankings and a two-time ATP Challenger Tour champion in 2025, Blockx also made history as the first Belgian to compete at the Next Gen ATP Finals. While he had beaten Tien in the 2023 Australian Open boys’ singles final, the American reversed that result when it mattered most on Sunday.

Did You Know?
Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz are among the former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champions.

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Jeddah graduate Blockx has the game for Tour success

He didn’t win the day, but Jeddah finalist Alexander Blockx had a week to remember on debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

After four straight wins to reach the final of the 20-and-under showpiece in Saudi Arabia, there was no shame in defeat to World No. 28 Learner Tien in Sunday’s title match.

“I think my Serve +1 got a lot better this tournament and I will take that into the new season,” Blockx said. “I also managed the pressure moments really well this week which will give me more confidence on the Tour when I have to play important points in big moments.

“I had a great tournament and I had fun on court today in the final, even when I was losing. I was just trying to enjoy every moment because it’s the last time I’ll ever experience a match like this. I had a few chances to break him back in the final game and that put a smile on my face. It’s been a really fun 10-11 days that I have been here in Jeddah.”

Throughout the week Blockx showcased a game well suited for success on the ATP Tour in future years: Impactful serving, ample power from the baseline and impressive movement for a young man standing 6’4”.

He clubbed 125 winners across five matches – including 50 aces – and dropped serve just seven times across five matches. The World No. 116 started the final putting 24 consecutive first serves into play, including a perfect 21-0 mark in the first set.

“It wasn’t a plan to go for a high percentage of first serves or for placement,” he said. “He was returning very well close to the baseline even though I was really going for it. I tried to serve with a lot of variety and sometimes you have matches where you make a lot of first serves.”

Blockx, who defeated Tien in the 2023 Australian Open boys’ final in a dramatic third-set tie-break 11-9, will now undergo a training week in Dubai before beginning his 2026 season at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Canberra and Australian Open qualifying.

The first Belgian finalist in Next Gen ATP Finals history, Blockx won two Challenger titles this year (Oeiras-3 and Bratislava-2).

“Even though it’s been a very good week I’m going to get back to training next week and get ready for the new season,” Blockx said.

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Kyrgios set to make ATP Tour return at Brisbane

Nick Kyrgios is in line to play his first ATP Tour match in 10 months after being given a wildcard entry for next month’s Brisbane International.

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Charlie Robertson, Murray's protege, using Next Gen ATP Finals as springboard

Charlie Robertson, who has spent formative time with his idol and former World No. 1 Andy Murray, has never lacked a benchmark for what it takes to reach the top of the game.

This week in Jeddah, however, the 19-year-old Scot is finding fresh motivation at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where he is gaining invaluable experience as a hitting partner. Surrounded by the sport’s brightest 20-and-under talents, Robertson is using the opportunity as a fuel for his own ambitions.

“Being here gives me inspiration, 100 per cent,” Robertson told ATPTour.com on centre court in Jeddah, in between practice sessions with Nishesh Basavareddy and Alexander Blockx. “Just being around everyone here is really special. Seeing people here who I’ve competed with in juniors, it gives me that extra motivation after this to try and make it here next year. That would be pretty cool.”

Robertson has bumped into familiar faces from his junior days, including Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the Norwegian who edged him in the semi-finals of last year’s US Open boys’ singles event and has since surged to four ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025.

Another compelling reminder of what can be achieved in a short space of time is Rafael Jodar, whose rise offers a tangible pathway Robertson hopes to emulate. After serving as a hitting partner in Jeddah last year and beginning 2025 ranked World No. 895 — 30 places lower than where Robertson currently sits — the Spaniard climbed more than 700 spots across the season to secure his place in the field.

“Seeing how the tournament works here and just playing a big tournament, I think it’s good motivation,” said Robertson, who reached his first ATP Challenger Tour semi-final last month in Egypt. “I’m learning things every day from watching everyone play. As long as I’m just focused and doing the right things, I believe in myself that I can get there.”

Robertson’s path into tennis began almost organically, tagging along to lessons with his brother and sister even before he was old enough to get involved himself. What started as hitting balls against the wall quickly turned into competition and steady progress.

Now 19 and competing as a sophomore for Wake Forest University, time and support remains on his side to continue developing — just as the player and countryman he grew up idolising once did.

“He’s really good at giving advice,” Robertson said of Murray, the three-time major champion. “If I ask him any questions, he gives me the honest answer and really what he thinks, and he’s given me a lot of advice in the past years. He’s been my biggest inspiration in tennis, so to hear that from him is incredible.”

Robertson also served as a hitting partner for Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP 500 at Queen’s Club last year. Yet even that pales in comparison to stepping on court with Andy and his brother Jamie Murray, both of whom have provided invaluable advice.

“I hit with Alcaraz at Queen’s and that was pretty special, but honestly, whenever I’m on court with Andy, it’s like the most special thing for me,” Robertson said. “It’s just crazy when I’m playing with Andy as I grew up watching him and then now I’m hitting with him.

“I actually hit a little bit more with Jamie when I was younger, but the Murray brothers… Just seeing them and seeing what they’ve done, especially being Scottish, is amazing.”

Charlie Robertson : the Scottish teenager following in Andy’s footsteps, heads to New York for the US Open junior event next month. He’s ranked 25 in the world and has just spent a week as Andy’s training partner.
Investing in the next generation. ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi

— judy murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024

There are further parallels with Robertson and his idol in the team around him, with Matt Little — a longtime figure in Murray’s camp — now playing a key role in his own progression.

“He’s been a massive help for me,” Robertson said of the strength and conditioning coach. “He’s the best, I have so much respect for him. He does a really good job with me, so I’m really, really lucky to have him by my side.”

With inspiration all around him in Jeddah and a clear pathway taking shape, Robertson’s ambitions are becoming increasingly tangible. Armed with a focused mindset and a positive attitude, the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF could soon represent not just motivation, but a realistic destination.

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Tien faces unbeaten Blockx in Next Gen ATP Finals redemption bid

Who will be crowned tennis’ newest rising star at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah?

Top seeds Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx will square off in Sunday’s title match, scheduled for not before 8 p.m. AST (6 p.m. CET), after both players made compelling statements throughout the week. Armed with heavy groundstrokes from both wings, 6’4” debutant Blockx stormed into the final with a flawless 4-0 record, while Tien is finding his rhythm after a shaky start as he looks to make amends for his championship-match defeat to Joao Fonseca in 2024.

There is also a subtle but meaningful subplot to the final. Blockx defeated Tien in the 2023 Australian Open boys’ final, edging a dramatic third-set tie-break 11-9. It was a gripping encounter — perhaps a glimpse of what awaits in Jeddah — and one that remains etched in the American’s memory.

“The only thing I remember is that it was the most heartbreaking loss of my life up to that point,” Tien said with a laugh. “We’ve obviously both improved a lot since then. I’ll have to rest up and form a new game plan. Hopefully I can come out well tomorrow. I think it will be a really tough match.”

While the pair crossed paths in juniors, Sunday’s clash marks their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. It also represents the first final between the tournament’s top two seeds since 2021, when Carlos Alcaraz defeated Sebastian Korda in Milan.

Tien, the World No. 28, won his first ATP Tour title in Metz last month and has earned five wins over Top 10 players in 2025. The 20-year-old is also the only Top 100 player in the Jeddah field, but Blockx will be up for the fight.

“Against Learner, it would be a really epic one after Australia two years ago,” Blockx said before the outcome of Tien’s semi-final. “I like to play against lefties, but to be honest, I don’t care who I’m playing tomorrow, it’s going to be fun.”

Blockx and Tien meet again 🏆

2023 ➡️ Australian Open Juniors Final
2025 ➡️ Next Gen ATP Final#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/kN085WXezq

— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 20, 2025

Tien has dropped his serve 10 times en route to the final, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Against the fearless-serving Blockx, who has been broken just five times this week, the American will need to tighten those numbers in Sunday’s decider.

Belgium’s Blockx, who has struck 107 winners across his four victories, has looked right at home in his debut appearance at the 20-and-under event. In contrast, Tien — one of only returners — has recovered from a slow start before finding some of his best tennis when it mattered most.

“I didn’t feel super settled in when I got here,” said Tien, who let slip four match points to Rafael Jodar in his opener. “It’s not like everyone’s super match fit, especially with the different format. It throws you off. I think it helped a little bit [reaching the final last year] but I wouldn’t say it’s made a huge difference.”

Off the court, Blockx has made the most of his time in Jeddah, using the event as an opportunity to build friendships with his fellow competitors — an aspect he values highly.

“It would definitely mean a lot,” Blockx said about the possibility of winning the title. “But what means the most is that I had so much fun this week. I’ve enjoyed every second of it. I also got closer to the guys, who are all very nice. Relationships off the court are very important. I feel like my week couldn’t have gone any better, so I am just happy with all the matches I’ve had.”

Having won two ATP Challenger Tour titles and risen to a career-high No. 101 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2025, Blockx appears poised for a Top 100 breakthrough. Yet one more victory in Jeddah could reshape the course of his young career.

An undefeated title run could earn the 20-year-old $539,750, a sum exceeding his previous career prize money by more than $30,000. Standing in his way is Tien, who arrives with unfinished business of his own, determined to go one step further than last season and crown his 2025 breakthrough by lifting the trophy that slipped from his grasp in 2024.

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Tien returns to Next Gen ATP Finals title match, faces Blockx

Learner Tien returned to the title match at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF on Saturday in Jeddah, where he moved past friend Nishesh Basavareddy 4-2, 4-1, 4-3(3).

The American lost to Brazilian star Joao Fonseca in the final 12 months ago but will aim to go one step further on Sunday when he meets 20-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx. Returning to Jeddah as the top seed this year, Tien is the second man in tournament history to reach multiple finals at the event, joining World No. 7 Alex de Minaur (2018-19).

“I won the first and had chances in the second before he just ran away with it,” Tien said of his final defeat to Fonseca last year. “I will try not to let that happen tomorrow… I know Alex has been playing great this week, so I’m really excited.”

World No. 28 Tien arrived at the 20-and-under tournament as the strong favourite after a standout year, highlighted by his first tour-level title at the 250 event in Metz. However, he suffered a stuttering start to his campaign when he lost to Rafael Jodar in five sets in his round-robin opener.

With the pressure on, the lefty responded with wins against Martin Landaluce and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer and was in control throughout the 75-minute semi-final encounter with Basavareddy, who received two medical timeouts for a deep cut on his finger.

In a controlled performance, Tien displayed the level that earned him five Top 10 wins in 2025, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. He recovered from dropping serve in the opening game of the first two sets, dictating the tempo with clean baseline ball-striking. The 20-year-old committed six fewer unforced errors than Basavareddy (19-25) and struck at the right moments to prevail. Tien will play Blockx on Sunday at 8pm local time.

The 20-year-old Basavareddy, who went 2-1 in the round-robin stage, was joined by coach Gilles Cervara at a tournament for the first time since the pair joined forces at the start of December. Basavareddy’s best result in 2025 came at the ATP 250 event in Auckland, where he reached the semi-finals.

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