'No-one should endure this hate' – gamblers sent half of abusive tennis posts
Angry gamblers are behind 48% of the 12,000 social media posts that have abused tennis players this year, says an AI-led detection system.
Angry gamblers are behind 48% of the 12,000 social media posts that have abused tennis players this year, says an AI-led detection system.
Britain’s Jack Draper will miss the first event of the 2025 season with a hip injury but is “very positive” about competing at the Australian Open.
American Alex Michelsen earned a four-set win against Nishesh Basavareddy at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF on Wednesday but there is one moment he will not want to see again.
Serving for the third set at 3-2, 40/30, the 20-year-old failed to dispatch a routine volley on top of the net after he had worked himself into a dominant position in the point off a forehand smash. The 20-year-old was left with his head in his hands after squandering the simple chance, with Basavareddy going on to break Michelsen’s serve.
“It was a tough moment,” Michelsen said. “I am probably going to see that a million times later when I open Instagram. I thought he wasn’t going to get it back and then I didn’t want to reach over the net and smash it, so I went to drop it but I was a little tight when I saw it come back over and I just missed it.”
Michelsen went on to lose his serve on the deciding deuce point but responded in the third-set tie-break, rallying from 0/2 to claim the third set and then eventually the match in four sets in Red Group play.
“I am really happy with the way I re-grouped,” Michelsen said. “Six months ago I would have for sure lost that breaker 7-2, so I am super happy with the way I re-grouped and found the way.”
Michelsen made his debut in Jeddah last year but lost all three of his round-robin matches. Twelves months on and the American is back as the second seed and at a career-high No. 41 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
Michelsen, who reached ATP Tour finals in Newport and Winston-Salem in 2024, is pleased with his development in the past year.
“I am more of a complete player compared to 12 months ago, both physically and mentally,” Michelsen said. “Last year I arrived off the back of just playing Challenger events and was not established on the Tour. Now I have a whole year’s experience on the Tour and that helped me get the win today.”
The American will take on Frenchman Luca Van Assche in his second round-robin match in Jeddah on Thursday.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]The ATP has confirmed a total $1.3 million has been distributed to 26 players in the first year of Baseline. Launched in 2024 on a three-year trial basis, the initiative has guaranteed minimum earnings for Top 250 players for the first time in tennis history.
The total $1.3 million has been distributed to eligible players under Baseline’s three pillars: Minimum Guarantee, Income Protection and Newcomer Investment.
Baseline has introduced guaranteed minimum income levels for the Top 250-ranked singles players, providing a financial safety net irrespective of on-court performance. In 2024, a total of 17 players benefited from Minimum Guarantee, with ATP stepping in to cover the shortfall where prize money earnings finished below minimum thresholds.
ATP will raise the guaranteed minimum thresholds in 2025: to $200,000 (up from $150,000) for singles players ranked 101-175, and $100,000 (up from $75,000) for players ranked 176-250. The threshold for Top 100 will remain at $300,000. The new thresholds mean that all players who finished 2024 in the Top 250 will earn a minimum of $100,000 in 2025, provided they play a minimum of 15 events.
In 2024, the Income Protection pillar supported a total of three players overcoming injury setbacks, financially supporting their recovery and return to the Tour.
Seven players benefited under the final pillar, Newcomer Investment. Targeting players who have broken into the Top 125 for the first time, this support enables rising stars to invest in their careers and break onto the ATP Tour.
[ATP APP]ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Baseline is a game-changer for the economics of a tennis player. We’re giving players the financial support they need to overcome challenges and build a sustainable career – whether they’re navigating injuries, setbacks in performance, or entering the Tour for the first time. With $1.3 million distributed to players in year one of Baseline, the impact is already clear. And, with expansions set for 2025, this is just the beginning.”
ATP Player Bernabé Zapata Miralles said: “As a professional tennis player, you’re focused on results. Relying on your performance to succeed can be difficult, especially when dealing with setbacks like injuries. With Baseline, we now have the comfort we need to improve, without the pressure of financial uncertainty. It’s a ground-breaking effort by the ATP to improve the support provided to players, and I’m excited to see the programme expand.”
ATP Player Hamad Medjedovic said: “Breaking onto the ATP Tour is an unbelievable accomplishment. You work incredibly hard to reach this level, and the journey is not always straight forward. Baseline provides the extra boost in support you need to fulfil your potential, by investing in the right resources and planning ahead.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Former world number one Simona Halep, who returned from a doping ban this year, receives a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying.
Shang Juncheng’s success has helped fuel a tennis boom in China. The first player from his nation to compete at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, the 19-year-old is now eager to be a part of the game’s growth in Saudi Arabia.
“This event, they’ve had so many great players in the past and a lot of good champions,” he said. “So I think coming here is really special, especially coming into Jeddah. Maybe a couple of years ago there wasn’t too much tennis action going on, but now we have the WTA Finals and the Next Gen Finals here, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
[ATP APP]Shang enters Jeddah as a member of the Top 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings, having reached a career-high of No. 47 in October after winning his first tour-level title in Chengdu. He lost just one set in that run at the ATP 250 and beat Lorenzo Musetti in the final. Despite his quick rise up the rankings — and his more than $1 million in prize money this season — Shang remains the same person as his game evolves.
“I think I’m still the same happy kid,” he said. “I try to be happy on the court, try to learn every day what I can do better what needs to be improved. I think it’s just a little bit of a challenge each day to make me a better player.”
Shang posted a 5-3 record at the Grand Slams this season (he bowed out in qualifying at Roland Garros) and reached the main-draw second round at all four ATP Masters 1000s at which he competed. Apart from his Chengdu title, he singled out his performance at the majors as a season highlight and took particular pride in completing the year without injury or illness.
Ironically, he had an eye infection early in the offseason, but he still enjoyed some downtime on holiday in Dubai, complete with shopping and beach time. In recent months, Shang has also started a gluten-free diet, part of an overall effort to live a more professional lifestyle.
Shang’s parents are also key influences. His father, Yi, was a professional football player; his mother, Na, was a world champion table tennis player.
“I think the mentality is the same, that you go on court, you try 100 per cent,” he said about taking lessons from their sporting careers. “That’s what they’ve been telling me all the time: You’ve got to be a competitor, but at the same time you’ve got to know your values — that maybe sometimes winning is not the most important thing. More to enjoy the competition and enjoy the people watching you. I think at the end of the day it’s [the people] who are next to you that’s the most important thing.”
While Shang and his fellow Jeddah competitors continue to learn about life as professional tennis players, their experience at the Next Gen ATP Finals provides a rare chance to compete exclusively amongst peers.
“The eight of us here, we know each other inside-out. We grew up all together, we’re all around the same age,” he said. “It’s really special because on Tour you play the older guys, not people your age. So coming here, I think it’s some sort of pressure that I’m playing kids that are like me, my age.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Jakub Mensik earned his debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF with a breakout season that included four Top 10 wins. One of four Jeddah competitors inside the Top 50 of the PIF ATP Rankings — alongside Arthur Fils, Alex Michelsen and Shang Juncheng — Mensik knew before the 2024 season started that he wanted to end it at the 20-and-under showcase event.
“It was one of my biggest goals to reach this event before the season,” he said this week. “I’m glad to be here. So far it’s amazing, the facilities and everything that they did for us. You can feel really that you’re one of the best younger players in the world.”
[ATP APP]Throughout his rise, Mensik has always been able to count on the unwavering support of his parents, Michal and Katerina. Both his parents are in Jeddah, and they have regularly travelled with Mensik since his junior tennis days.
The family are frequent flyers now, but they recalled an airport mishap years ago, long before Mensik grew accustomed to the nomadic life. When he was nine, the family was waiting at baggage claim when Mensik became distracted by a cat. After going over to investigate, he lost track of his parents, who left the baggage area before realising their son had gone missing.
Mensik remembers a scary wait until his father returned: “From nowhere, my dad appeared after 30, 45 minutes, and everything was good,” he said with a laugh.
It will be hard to lose sight of Mensik this week as he competes under the spotlight of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
While Mensik exceeded all outside expectations this year on the ATP Tour, the 19-year-old is not putting himself under any undue pressure in Jeddah. As the third seed, he will open his campaign against Learner Tien on Wednesday.
“I never have expectations,” he explained. “Obviously just to enjoy this beautiful tournament. Of course I would be happy to win a couple of matches and of course I’m going here to win it.”
Mensik took a similar approach at his first ATP Tour tournament this February in Doha, where he beat Andrey Rublev en route to the final. He also beat Rublev on his way to the quarter-finals at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, where he pushed his idol Novak Djokovic to three sets. Mensik lists those two weeks as the highlights of his year, along with representing Czechia at the Olympics and Davis Cup.
He’ll hope to end his 2024 campaign with another week to remember in Jeddah.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]The seventh edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF get underway Wednesday in Jeddah, pitting the world’s eight best 20-and-under players against each other in a fight for glory.
With the aim of showcasing the promising talent on offer in the tennis world, the innovative event has acted as a stepping stone for some of the sport’s brightest stars. Ahead of the tournament, ATPTour.com revisits the six previous champions and examines where they are now.
[ATP APP]2017 Hyeon Chung
Hyeon Chung took the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF by storm with his undefeated run to the title. After a short offseason, it felt as if the South Korean was already headed for further stardom when he produced an inspired campaign at the Australian Open, notching a momentous win over Novak Djokovic en route to the semi-finals.
Yet Chung’s promising form was cut short as he grappled with injury in the years that followed, ultimately leading to a two-year hiatus between 2020 and 2023. Last year, Chung returned to action on the ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Tours.
<img alt=”Hyeon Chung” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/23/49/chung-next-gen-celebration.jpg” />Hyeon Chung wins the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in 2017. Photo Credit: Getty Images
2018 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Having already made a name for himself by climbing inside the Top 15 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Stefanos Tsitsipas further cemented his status as one of the sport’s brightest prospects with his performance at the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
The Greek’s promise is reflected in his achievements the following season, during which he did not lose track of his ascent. Tsitsipas finished the year as World No. 6 after surging to glory on his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals. With three ATP Masters 1000 titles in Monte-Carlo, two Grand Slam final appearances and a career-high ranking of No. 3 to his name since, Tsitsipas has proven to be one of the hottest talents of his generation.
2019 Jannik Sinner
When Jannik Sinner received a wild card to the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2019, not many anticipated the sheer dominance that the Italian would go on to execute in the sport. Sinner showed glimpses of his potential in the subsequent seasons, picking up 10 ATP Tour titles between 2020 and 2023, but that form proved to be far from his peak.
There is an undeniable abrasiveness beneath the business-like exterior of Sinner and it has shone through in 2024. After clinching his maiden Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open, Sinner became the first Italian to reach No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, but that wasn’t enough. The history-making 23-year-old finished the season with a Tour-leading eight titles, including the Nitto ATP Finals, the US Open and three ATP Masters 1000s (Miami, Cincinnati, Shanghai), guided Italy to a successful defence of its Davis Cup, and won his first ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours.
With a resounding 73-6 win-loss record in 2024, according to Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Sinner looks far from letting slip the firm grip he holds at the top of the ATP Tour.
2021 Carlos Alcaraz
With his rise to the top of the tennis world following his success at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in 2021, Carlos Alcaraz is a beacon of hope for the young stars competing at the 20-and-under event this year. The Spaniard won five tour-level titles in 2022, including his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open – a triumph which earned him the status as the youngest ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours in history at 19 years of age.
Alcaraz’s eye-catching ascent was no flash in the pan, however. The 21-year-old’s consistency has cemented himself among the game’s elite and his blistering game has made him a threat to any opponent. This is highlighted in his 3-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head record over World No. 1 Sinner across 2024, despite the success the Italian achieved. The Spaniard will be aiming to become the youngest player to complete the career Slam when he heads to the Australian Open in January.
<img alt=”Carlos Alcaraz” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/23/43/alcaraz-next-gen-celebration.jpg” />Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the 2021 Next Gen ATP Finals. Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
2022 Brandon Nakashima
Along with Chung, Brandon Nakashima found it difficult to become accustomed to life as a Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion following his triumph in 2022. The American, who finished that season inside the World’s Top 50, found himself competing in ATP Challenger Tour events at the same point of the following season following injury issues.
A large part of Nakashima’s slight drop was due to his unsuccessful title defence in San Diego, his hometown and site of his maiden tour-level title. Yet aware of the measures he was forced to take to work his way back to form, Nakashima played nine Challenger tournaments in the first half of the 2024 season, and it paid dividends. By the end of the year, the 23-year-old had reached a career high of No. 35 in the PIF ATP Rankings following an impressive run to the last 16 at the US Open.
2023 Hamad Medjedovic
It felt as if it was all falling into place for Hamad Medjedovic, the prodigy of countryman Novak Djokovic, when he became the latest champion at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF at the end of the 2023 season.
Yet the Serbian has struggled with injuries and illness in 2024, posting an 18-15 win-loss record at all levels. Medjedovic did, however, finish the year with a run to his maiden ATP Tour final in Belgrade and the 21-year-old will look to draw on that as he kickstarts his 2025 campaign.
American tennis is experiencing a renaissance, with the current generation of talent making waves on the global stage. Taylor Fritz capped off a stellar year by finishing No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings, highlighted by a career-best run to the US Open final. Meanwhile, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Sebastian Korda all finished the season in the Top 25, solidifying the U.S.’s presence at the top of the men’s game.
This week, the spotlight shifts to the next wave of American men as three rising stars — Alex Michelsen, Learner Tien, and Nishesh Basavareddy — take centre stage at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah. For the first time in tournament history, three American players are set to compete together at this prestigious event.
While this marks the trio’s first appearance together at a tour-level event, they are far from strangers. All three players grew up in California, where their paths crossed frequently in junior competitions. Over the years, they developed fierce rivalries, but also built strong friendships that have stood the test of time.
“I remember playing Nishesh when I was 10, and he lived just 20 minutes from me,” Michelsen recalled with a smile to ATPTour.com. “We would play a lot, and it was always tight—either I’d win or he’d beat me in a match tie-break. With Learner, it was a different story. He was always a step ahead, even when he was younger. When he showed up at tournaments, we all knew he was the one to beat.”
Basavareddy has similar memories of his early encounters with Tien.
“The first time I met Learner was when I was six. We played at the Little Mo Regionals in San Diego, and I remember those matches being real battles. I also played Alex when I was seven and he was already a year older than me. We crossed paths at junior tournaments all the time, and over the years, we’ve not only competed but become close friends.”
<img alt=”Nishesh Basavareddy” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/12/49/basavareddy-jeddah-2024-preview.jpg” style=”width: 100%;” />
Nishesh Basavareddy in Jeddah. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Fast forward to today and these three are on the fast track to the top. In the past 18 months, Michelsen has rocketed from outside the Top 700 in the PIF ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 41, with notable final appearances in Newport and Winston-Salem. Tien, only 19, has been a juggernaut on the ATP Challenger Tour, securing three titles in 2024 — the most by any player in the Jeddah field. Meanwhile, Basavareddy has finished the season in red-hot form, capturing two Challenger crowns since October to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
Their journey to Jeddah has been underpinned by hard work. After a few years apart, Michelsen and Tien started training together in 2021, working under the guidance of coach Jay Leavitt. Tien has relished the opportunity to work with Michelsen and they recently undertook a productive, fun-filled pre-season before embarking on Jeddah.
“We’ve known each other for years, and training together since 2021 has been great,” Tien said. “We push each other on the court and then wind down playing video games in the evening. It’s been a fun balance — Alex is super competitive, so even in video games, it’s a battle.”
<img alt=”Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen in Jeddah.” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/16/27/tien-michelsen-jeddah-2024-media.jpg” style=”width: 100%;” />
Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen in Jeddah. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Basavareddy, who turned professional earlier this month after two years at Stanford University, credits his college experience for much of his growth.
“College tennis was crucial for me,” Basavareddy said. “I was only 17 when I graduated high school, so turning pro early didn’t feel right. At Stanford, I had the chance to continue developing physically and compete at a high level, which helped me a lot.”
Off the court, the trio share a competitive streak — whether it’s playing ping pong or video games. Basavareddy is considered the table tennis champion, while Michelsen is the undisputed ‘most competitive’. But it’s their on-court success that’s truly inspiring. Their achievements have pushed each other to new heights, and Basavareddy admits seeing his friends’ breakthroughs has been a huge motivation.
“I’ve played Alex a couple of times in Challengers and watching his success this year has really inspired me,” Basavareddy says. “Seeing him make that jump has shown me it’s possible. And Learner’s dominance this summer and fall in the Challengers has made me want to replicate that. Then, of course, seeing the top American guys like Fritz making the US Open final — it’s really cool. It makes us all want to do the same.”
[ATP APP]Michelsen, who was the only American in last year’s Jeddah field, is thrilled to be joined by his fellow countrymen at the event. The 20-year-old has a sense of pride when discussing the rise of American tennis.
“It’s the first time three Americans are competing in the Next Gen ATP Finals, and it feels awesome,” Michelsen said. “Last year, I was the only one here, so it’s nice to have company this time. It’s exciting to see these guys playing so well, and when you see Fritz making a Slam final — when’s the last time an American made it that far in New York? It’s been 20 years, right? It’s really cool to see where American tennis is headed.”
This week in Jeddah, however, the camaraderie will take a slight back seat as Michelsen, Tien, and Basavareddy face off. The trio had some fun during Media Day interviews, where they light-heartedly assessed each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Michelsen jokingly claimed he’d love Tien’s lob and Basavareddy’s backhand angle but quickly rejected both of their serves. Tien, in turn, admired Basavareddy and Michelsen’s backhands but wasn’t fond of Michelsen’s slice. Basavareddy favoured his backhand while also eyeing Tien’s forehand and Michelsen’s serve.
With the fighting talk done, watch the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF from Wednesday to see who comes out on top.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Before the eight 20-and-under players compete in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, they participated in a fun-filled media day. All photo credits belong to Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.
<img alt=”Media day at Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/16/19/next-gen-2024-group.jpg?w=100%25″ />
The field of eight gathers for the official group photo for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.
<img alt=”Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen in Jeddah.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/16/27/tien-michelsen-jeddah-2024-media.jpg” />
Close friends Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen share a laugh.
China’s Shang Juncheng is seeded fourth in Jeddah.
<img alt=”Arthur Fils and Nishesh Basavareddy in Jeddah.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/16/35/fils-basavareddy-jeddah-2024-media.jpg” />
Arthur Fils and Nishesh Basavareddy during Media Day.
<img alt=”Luca Van Assche in Jeddah for media day.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/16/39/van-assche-jeddah-2024-media2.jpg” />
Luca Van Assche is competing in the 20-and-under event for the second consecutive year.
<img alt=”The eight players competing at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/16/43/jeddah-2024-selfie.jpg” />
Alex Michelsen takes a group selfie.
<img alt=”Shang Juncheng, Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/16/48/shang-fonseca-mensik-jeddah-2024.jpg” />
Teenagers Shang Juncheng, Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik.
<img alt=”Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/18/08/tien-michelsen-next-gen-2024.jpg” />
Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen.
<img alt=”Arthur Fils is the top seed in Jeddah.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/17/11/fils-jeddah-2024-media-day.jpg” />
Arthur Fils is the top seed.
<img alt=”Joao Fonseca and Shang Juncheng.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/17/15/fonseca-shang-jeddah-jet-ski-2024.jpg” />
Joao Fonseca and Shang Juncheng relish a jet-ski ride.
The players share a meal together to cap a busy day.
<img alt=”The eight players joined by last year’s champion Hamad Medjedovic.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/18/09/next-gen-2024-jeddah.jpg” />
This year’s field joined by 2023 champion Hamad Medjedovic.