Tennis News

Shang unchanged ahead of Jeddah bow: 'I'm still the same happy kid'

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.”

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.”

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Set to take flight in Jeddah, Mensik recalls childhood airport mishap

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.”

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.

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Sinner & Alcaraz headline Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF alumni

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.

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.

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From juniors to Jeddah: Friends Michelsen, Tien, Basavareddy take centre stage in Saudi

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.”

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.

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Behind the scenes: From interviews to jet skiing, Jeddah players enjoy Media Day

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.}

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Lumsden & Wainwright win at Tennis Scotland Open

Scotland’s Ewan Lumsden and English 17-year-old Mia Wainwright emerge victorious at the Tennis Scotland Open Tour finals.

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'I felt like I couldn't lose': Tien draws on standout form to excel in Jeddah

There are few players in the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF field who have tasted success quite like Learner Tien in 2024.

Boasting a 31-9 win-loss record across the year, the American has thrived on the ATP Challenger Tour. After scooping three titles and climbing to a career high of No. 114 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Tien arrives as the fifth seed among the world’s eight best 20-and-under players.

“I felt like I couldn’t lose a match,” said Tien of his 28-match win streak from May to July across all levels. “No matter the score, it wasn’t meant to be over and I still found a way, until I didn’t. I always had this confidence that I could come through, which I feel you should always have.”

Yet it has not all been plain sailing for the 19-year-old, who was forced onto the sidelines for three months at the beginning of the season through a seventh-rib fracture.

“If you had told me then that I would be ranked where I am now, I would be thrilled. Even before I was injured, I had the goal of being around 150-175 [in the rankings], without that setback. To come back after missing three months and still have a year as good as I ended up having, it’s great. I’m really happy with where I am.”

Injury is a daunting prospect for any player, but Tien never lost hope. In fact, he credits the impressive breakthrough 2024 season – during which he has catapulted over 300 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings – to the time he was left contemplating on the recovery bed.

“Getting injured resulted in a good bit of time off, I think that was good for my mental [state] to reset a little bit,” said Tien. “Having such little time on court, I wanted us to get back and play, so that really motivated me and made it easy for me to come back and want to get better.

“Coming back, I was a little rusty, but I had a good bit of success right off the bat. It was really good for my confidence to come back after missing some time off and still win some matches.”

Squad goals? Nailed it. 😎#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/J8Xm3QeTLg

— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 17, 2024

Tien, a two-time USTA Boys’ 18s National Champion, is one of three Americans in the eight-man field in Jeddah. Alongside him are second seed Alex Michelsen and Nishesh Basavareddy, both of whom share more than just a nationality with Tien; they share a friendship forged through years of climbing the junior ranks together.

“It feels weird coming out this far to see familiar faces,” said Tien. “It’s nice having good friends out here with you and seeing people who you grew up with. It’s really cool for sure.”

Debutant Tien will have to adjust to the innovative rules at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF rather quickly as he opens his account against ATP Newcomer of the Year and World No. 48 Jakub Mensik on Wednesday.

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Van Assche's 'sequence' to Jeddah return trip

Frenchman Luca Van Assche is one of three players making a return trip to Jeddah at this week’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, alongside Arthur Fils and Alex Michelsen. The 20-year-old Van Assche made the semi-finals in 2023 before falling to countryman Fils.

But this year, there is a new team in Van Assche’s corner, Italians Vincenzo Santopadre and Paolo Cannova, the latter accompanying the Frenchman this week.

Since beginning their partnership in February, Van Assche and Santopadre — who previously spent 13 years with Matteo Berrettini — have built a strong connection that extends beyond the tennis court. Santopadre introduced his charge to the Italian card game Scopa, sparking a new source of friendly competition.

“It’s a fun game,” Van Assche said. “I didn’t play a lot of cards when I was young. When I met [Vicenzo], he bought some new cards and they are Italian cards. We started to play this game and we are very competitive.

“The last two weeks, we didn’t play that much because Paolo bought another game — Sequence — so we are trying some new things. It’s very fun off the court.”

Does Van Assche, who studies mathematics at Paris Dauphine University, use those skills to give him an edge in such games?

“It can help but also sometimes, it’s a bit of luck. When I win, of course it’s normal because my brain works very well,” Van Assche joked. “But when I lose, it’s because the others are lucky!”

Van Assche’s season highlight came at the start of the year, a third-round run at Australian Open that featured back-to-back five-set wins. Now the No. 128 player in the PIF ATP Rankings looks to put a bow on 2024 with a deep run in Saudi Arabia. He will be the first to take the court Wednesday against China’s Shang Juncheng. It will be their first Lexus ATP Head2Head series meeting.

“It is a fun tournament with some different rules. It’s such a special atmosphere here. It’s different from a normal tournament, only eight players competing,” Van Assche said. “With the group stage, I lost a match [last year] and I still qualified for the semis. I also played against a good friend [Fils] in the semis. It was a good experience.”

Introducing the Class of 2024 🫡🎓#NextGenATPFinals | @sauditenfed pic.twitter.com/eW7aH5PFwp

— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 16, 2024

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Shang, Fils reflect on parents’ sporting influence

You could argue that Shang Juncheng was born to become an elite athlete.

The Chinese star has firmly established himself as one of the brightest prospects on the ATP Tour in 2024, during which he surged to a career-high No. 47 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Dealing with a meteoric rise can be tough for any young talent, but Shang has not one, but two former pro sportspeople at hand to offer sage advice — his parents, ex-footballer Shang Yi and ex-table tennis player Wu Na.

“I think I’m where I am because of them,” Shang told ATPTour.com on Tuesday in Jeddah ahead of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where he will compete as the fourth seed. “I think for each player, parents are the most important. At the end of the day, it’s the people around you — your team, your coach, your family — I think they are most important for me.

“They are definitely very understanding of how it is to be a professional athlete. We have conflict always about things. It’s never perfect, and there are ups and downs for sure, but at the end of the day we try to not make it an argument. More to describe your own feelings and express the way you are feeling on the court, and what you need to improve. At the end of the day, it’s all about just communicating.”

Regular communication from a parent has also been vital to the development of Arthur Fils. The Frenchman may not have a parent who played pro sport, but his father played basketball to a high level as a teenager. Jean-Philippe Fils passed on his competitive edge to his son, who is now a Top 20 player at just 20 years old.

“It’s always been the same,” said Jeddah top seed Fils when asked about any key advice his father had given him for his tennis. “The same sentence, but it always made sense. ‘Never quit’, give 100 per cent and we’ll see, and you don’t come on the court to participate, you come on the court to win.”

Both Fils and Shang have already done plenty of that. The Frenchman increased his tour-level title tally to three in 2024 with ATP 500 triumphs in Hamburg and Tokyo, while Shang forged a breakthrough in Chengdu, where he became the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title on home soil. Even if following that significant early success proves tough, the 19-year-old knows he can always turn to a positive family environment.

“The most important thing is that they never put any pressure on me, winning or losing,” said Shang. “It’s always part of the game, and as athletes I think they know it is part of the game. For me to enjoy myself and try 100 per cent is all they wanted, even now that I turned professional just last year. They want me to enjoy, overall, and just have fun on court.

“One of the biggest bits of advice they gave me is that I have to try and focus day in, day out. You don’t just become an amazing player with one practice. Other players, they work super hard each day for their goals, for their dreams. That’s what my parents are telling me every day: ‘Hey Jerry, you had a good day today, but the next day you’ve got to repeat that. Repeat it and repeat it again, and you’re going to be a better person and a better player’.”

There are plenty of examples of the children of athletes following their parents into the same sport: From NBA star Bronny James (son of LeBron James) to NFL stars Eli and Peyton Manning (sons of Archie Manning) and ATP Tour players such as Casper Ruud and Sebastian Korda. Fils and Shang may not be playing the same sport as their respective sporting parents did, but they still have first-hand experience of their abilities.

“[My dad] played basketball until he was 18. When he was playing, he was pretty good,” said the No. 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings Fils. “I never watched him play, but sometimes we go and play together. When we play, he is winning for sure at basketball. One hundred per cent. I would say my dad is [physically] pretty explosive, and I would say I have this from him.

“My parents play a big role in my development for sure, maybe the biggest. Of course, on the court I am the one playing and holding the racquet, but they are always supporting me and they help me so much. They have a big role.”

<img alt=”Arthur Fils” style=”width: 100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/14/48/fils-dad-basketball-2024.jpg” />

_{^{Jean-Philippe Fils and Arthur Fils playing basketball. Photo Credit: Getty Images}}

Meanwhile Shang acknowledges he cannot match former China international Yi at football, nor former mixed doubles world champion Wu at table tennis. Yet he attributes time spent playing with them as key to his competitive edge.

“I’ve played football with my dad and table tennis with my mum,” said Shang. “Obviously, I’m not as good as them. Against my mum, if I get lucky, I win a point! Each player, each athlete, whichever sport you do, the goal is to win. To be the better player on the court or to be the best in the world. I think generally the competing style, I got it from them.”

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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Players briefed on unique rules ahead of Jeddah action

One key aspect to succeeding at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF? Getting your head around the rules.

The 20-and-under event has been a hotbed for innovation since its inaugural edition in 2017. This year’s tournament is no different, as the eight-player field discovered during a pre-tournament meeting on Tuesday in Jeddah.

Arthur Fils, Alex Michelsen, Jakub Mensik, Shang Juncheng, Learner Tien, Luca Van Assche, Nishesh Basavareddy and Joao Fonseca gathered in a King Abdullah Sports City press conference room for a run-through of the signature rules and innovations in play for the tournament.

_{^{The 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF player briefing. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}}

As in previous years, matches will be first-to-four-games, best-of-five-sets, with a tie-break (first to seven points) at 3-3. A No-Ad scoring format will be used, with the server choosing the service box at 40/40.

Reduced and shortened changeover times are also in place to ensure fast-moving encounters. Players will sit down at the end of the set for 90 seconds, reduced from 120 seconds in 2023. On-court warmups have been reintroduced for 2024 after they were absent last year. Players will warm up for three minutes on court, two minutes fewer than warmups on the ATP Tour.

A No Let rule, which was used in previous editions of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF but not in 2023, will also be reimplemented. Play will continue even if the ball touches the net during a serve, provided it lands in the correct service box. It raises the prospect of a player’s reaction time to a net-cord being potentially decisive at a key moment in a match.

The 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City from 18-22 December, with a tournament-record US $2.05 million prize money on offer.

[NEWSLETTER FORM]

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