Long before they were chasing a spot at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah, they were just kids, hitting balls, looking up to their idols and dreaming of one day making it on Tour.
In the first feature of our Next Gen ATP series Next in Line, we go back to the beginning with Rei Sakamoto, Federico Cina and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, three of the top 20-and-under players in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. From family court sessions to Centre Court inspiration, their roads to pro tennis began in very personal ways.
For Japan’s Sakamoto, one of the most vivid early moments wasn’t a lesson or a win, it was a feeling.
“I was six years old, playing on small courts,” Sakamoto told ATPTour.com in New York. “I think I hit a smash and it flew off. It was so satisfying.”
Sakamoto laughed at the memory, especially considering there’s an even earlier photo of him swinging a racquet at age three, a moment he doesn’t remember, but one his family certainly does.
“There’s a photo of me hitting tennis balls with a kid’s racquet,” Sakamoto added. “I absolutely have no memory, but I guess I started early!”
In Italy, Cina was picking up racquets around the same age, but in his case, the tennis bug ran deep in the family.
“I started with my grandpa and grandma, at home,” Cina said. “So the first time was with them, also with my dad, he’s a coach, so at the tournaments, I always played with him. But the club I first played at was near my home, about 10 minutes away. I played at home in the first years and then when I was around five or six, I started going to the club and stayed there all day.”
By the time Cina was six, he spent entire days at his local courts and even travelled to events alongside his dad, who coached US Open finalist Roberta Vinci.
“I remember watching a lot and going to tournaments because my dad was a coach,” said Cina, who is now coached by his father Francesco. “I would go to the Slams and Masters 1000 events as a kid. They were really nice places and I enjoyed watching at that time. I watched a lot of matches, so I think I developed an interest in tennis from there. I watched a lot when my dad was coaching Vinci, some cool experiences. He was very important in my development because I started because of him and he passed that passion onto me and I am very thankful.”
Budkov Kjaer’s connection to the sport also came through family, though with a distinctly Norwegian twist.
“My dad was in the Federation for five years, so it was more natural for me to choose tennis,” said Budkov Kjaer. “He was in the Federation when Casper [Ruud] was growing up as a junior and establishing on the ATP Tour. So he knew all the transitions and all the things that had to be done.”
Even as kids with access to courts and coaches, there were specific moments that lit a fire, the kind that came from seeing the game played at its highest level.
“I remember watching Kei Nishikori in the US Open final. Cilic destroyed him,” Sakamoto said. “But just watching him playing, going so deep in the tournament was awesome to watch. He inspired me a lot. That gave me the confidence that Japanese can be good tennis players, great tennis players. That’s the match.”
Budkov Kjaer has won four ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025 and is sixth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, aiming to make his debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in December. The 19-year-old recalls having a lightbulb moment when sitting in the stands of Centre Court.
“I attended the Wimbledon final in 2018 with Djokovic and Anderson and off course I wanted to come back in all white and play on Wimbledon’s beautiful courts,” said Budkov Kjaer, who won the Boys’ singles title at the major in 2024. “For me, the all white, green grass courts and maybe the time of year makes Wimbledon extra special.”
As the trio continues to rise, they each took a moment to reflect on how far they’ve come and what their younger selves might think of their progress.
“My young junior me would probably give me a high five and say, “Not bad!” Back then, I had no idea what it really takes, which was maybe a blessing,” Budkov Kjaer said. “But if you told junior-me I’d be ranked ATP 136, winning 50 matches and four Challenger titles in my first year as a pro, I think he’d be smiling pretty wide.”
Cina agreed. His younger self might not recognise the level yet, but he’d feel right at home.
“I’m grateful I had the chance to play at Masters 1000s this year,” said Cina, who won first-round matches at the level in Miami and Madrid in 2025. “Madrid felt more comfortable than Miami. I’m adjusting, feeling more at home every time.”
Sakamoto has enjoyed success on the Challenger Tour this season, triumphing in Cary. On Tour, the 19-year-old came through qualifying to compete at Masters 1000 events in Miami and Shanghai. For Sakamoto, the measuring stick is still Nishikori and that remains a powerful motivator.
“When I compare myself to Kei at my age, I feel like he’s in a different world,” Sakamoto said. “He won his first ATP title just after turning 18. I’ve won a Challenger, but every time I feel closer, I also feel farther. Still… I’m happy with my steps.”
Learn more about Sakamoto here
Learn more about Budkov Kjaer here
Learn more about Cina here
On 28 October 2025, we will hear how Learner Tien, Nishesh Basavareddy and Justin Engel have adjusted to the Tour.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
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