Next Gen ATP Finals 2024: the guide

The seventh edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia it is celebrated from December 18 to 22. The complete tournament can be enjoyed on Disney+.

Jeddah is the host city of the innovative Next Gen ATP Finals, bringing together the best singles players of the ATP Tour season in the Under-20 category.

GROUPS

In the blue group, there will be Arthur Fils (20th in the world ranking), the best placed tennis player, Jakub Mensik (48th), Learner Tien (122nd) and the Brazilian Joao Fonseca (145th).

In the red, Axel Michelsen (41°), Juncheng Shang (50°), Luca Van Assche (128°) and Nishesh Basavareddy (138°) will be present.

AWARDS

The tournament distributes 2.05 million dollars. Whoever wins this edition will receive a prize of $526,000.

CHAMPIONS

This competition, although it does not award ATP points, has great champions: Hyeon Chung, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Brandon Nakashima and Hamad Medjedovic.

The tournament continues to evolve. Several of this year’s innovations and rules are designed to improve the flow of the game, including reduced warm-up, the no-let-players-leave rule, while other innovations include free movement of fans and analysis of the Tennis IQ match date during the game for the coaches on the court.

PUNCTUATION

Sets to 4, best of 5 sets scoring: each match will be best of 5 sets with tie-break. Each set will be 4 games with a margin of 2 games and a tie-break (first to 7 points with a margin of 2) played 3-3. Each game will be played using the no-advantage scoring format and the server will choose where to do so.

CHANGES

There will be no side changes after the first game.
Players will switch sides and sit for 90 seconds after the first three games are played, once again if the set score reaches 3-2 (i.e. after two more games in the set), and then again at the end of the set (regardless of the final score of the set).
Players will switch sides after six points in the tie-break.
Players will sit at the end of the set for 90 seconds, reduced from 120 seconds.

RULES

Warm-up: Players will warm up for 3 minutes on the court.
Ball change: After every 7 games.
Service Launch Clock: Up to 8 seconds will be allowed between the first and second serves. A shot clock will show the time elapsed between the first and second serves.
Time between points: Continuing with the 2023 initiative, the time between points will be reduced from 25 seconds to 15 seconds if a point is less than three shots (for example, 2 shots = 15 seconds; 3 shots = 25 seconds).
No let rule: Play continues even if the ball hits the net during a serve, as long as it lands in the correct service box.
Free movement in the stadium will be allowed during the first three games of the match. After the first few games, fans will be able to move freely except in limited areas behind the baseline in the player’s direct view.
Movement of a spectator in designated free movement areas will not constitute a legitimate pause in the shot clock.
Lower referee chair to reduce visual obstruction for fans in the stadium.

INNOVATION INITIATIVES

INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE PLAYER PERFORMANCE

Players will be able to carry portable devices in games. Data from wearable devices will be summarized and visualized so that players can get a complete overview of their physical performance and stress responses in matches.
In-Match Analysis: The Tennis IQ match data platform will be available to coaches sitting courtside, and video footage tagged with match data will be available post-match. New knowledge will also be displayed in the stadium.

The complete tournament can be enjoyed on Disney+.