Rising Stars Elevate the Next Gen Finals Bid in Jeddah
29 November 2025
Rising Stars Earn Next Gen Finals Berths
Nishesh Basavaridi of the United States secured a place in the ATP Next Gen Finals for a second consecutive year, following a season highlighted by a surprising run to the Auckland 250 semifinals in January.
Basavaridi also broke into the top 100 for the first time, climbing to a career-best No. 99 in the ATP rankings in June, signaling a major breakthrough at just 20 years old. After two years with the Stanford Cardinal, he turned professional last year to secure his spot in Jeddah.
Background on Basavaridi and Jodar
Basavaridi is mentored by Rajiv Ram, a former world No. 1 doubles player and a 32-time ATP doubles champion, with guidance from longtime coach Brian Smith and connections to the Indiana tennis community.
The eighth edition of this under-20 showcase will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 17 to 21, crowning the young talent of the year in a high-stakes setting.
Rafael Jodar and the Final Eight
Rafael Jodar, a 19-year-old Spaniard ranked 167 in the ATP, joined his compatriot in the field after serving as a training partner in Jeddah last year and returning with a season of notable improvements. He rose from outside the top 900 in March to a place in the finals, thanks to an impressive late-year push that included three Challenger titles across Greece and the United States.
Jodar becomes the third Spaniard teenager to win at least three Challenger titles, joining the ranks of top players who have crossed through the junior-to-professional ladder as part of Madrid’s tennis community.
Finalists announced include Jacob Mensek, Lerner Tin, Alexander Bloks, Dino Przmich, Martin Landaluši, Nikolai Podkirkir, Nishesh Basavaridi, and Rafael Jodar. The field features eight players; seven earn their berth through the ATP rankings, while one wild card completes the lineup.
Past Champions and Tournament Context
The event has a rich history of young talent. Previous champions have included players from Korea, Greece, Spain, and Serbia, with winners progressing to the ATP Tour in years that followed. The competition began in Milan in 2017 and moved to Jeddah in 2023, remaining there through 2025 as the Next Gen Finals showcase the sport’s rising stars.
Last year’s champion Joao Fonseca had withdrawn due to injury as he continued recovery, underscoring the event’s ongoing challenges and opportunities for young players to shine on a big stage.
The Next Gen Finals, organized by the ATP, celebrate the season’s best under-20 players in a venue that blends style with competition, highlighting the future stars who will shape the tour for years to come.
Two punchlines to close: If these youngsters keep serving this hot, even the weather app will start counting aces. And remember, in a world full of optional extras, these kids are the premium package—tough to beat, easy to watch, and somehow still under 20 when the bill arrives.
