Next generation of ATP Finals players return to school in Jeddah | ATP Tour

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Best class returns to school in Jeddah

Rule changes include eight-second limit between first and second serve

December 16, 2025

On Tuesday, Jeddah’s players returned to school — albeit briefly.

A day ahead of the start of the Next Generation ATP Finals at PIF, eight competitors came together to detail the innovations, rule changes, history and purpose of the event, which annually showcases the sport’s best 20-and-under players.

“It’s great to be here and understand every rule and what the staff and everyone of this big tournament has done for us throughout the year,” said Spain’s Martin Landalus, who will make his first appearance in Jeddah after serving as a substitute last year. “It’s great to be here and meet people who are working to make our lives better.”

The innovative event, first held in Milan in 2017, features five first-four sets, shortened time between points, expanded fan freedom, video review and a shortened three-minute warm-up time.

A shot clock will keep play flowing, with no more than 8 seconds between first and second serves and a 15-second limit between scores that end with less than three shots.

“I like rules,” Landalus said. “I like playing four games; it keeps the game dynamic and makes the players try to start better and have more energy.”

Players and coaches will gain comprehensive data insights to adjust tactics. Tablets provided in courtside team boxes will provide real-time access to ATP Tennis IQ powered by PIF data, tracking player performance, allowing coaches to communicate key points to players during games as part of normal on-field coaching protocols.

Players and coaches will receive video clips tagged with game statistics after the game. A dedicated tennis analyst is on hand to provide individual education sessions to the team.

More in-field game statistics and data analysis will be available to fans.

“Sports is becoming increasingly data-driven, so making these statistics and analytics available to players, teams and fans represents the future direction of the sport,” tournament director Adam Hogg said.

The eight players competed in two groups from Wednesday to Friday, with semi-finals on Saturday and Sunday.

Top seed and last year’s finalist Learner Tien leads the Blue Group, whose eight-man roster includes two Spanish players – Landaluce and Rafael Jodar – as well as Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.

Belgian Alexander Blockx leads the red team, which also includes Croatian Dino Prizmic, returning American Nishesh Basavareddy and 18-year-old German Justin Engel, the youngest player in the field.

View the first day schedule