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.
[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.