The Next Gen Finals and a guaranteed success: three number ones, multiple top-10

Carlos Navarro | 15 Dec 2025 | 16.26

Alcaraz was the champion of the Next Gen Finals in 2021. Source: Getty

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The arrival of the Next Gen Finals to the ATP circuit represented a small earthquake within an ecosystem that was asking for new formats. Perhaps some eccentricities inherent to this novelty alienated the average viewer, but a large part of the tennis audience knew how to appreciate an initiative that would bring together the great promises of the circuit, those destined to reign in the future. In a year, 2017, where the average age of the top 10 had risen to unsuspected limits, the proposal made all the sense in the world... and it could not have imagined the resounding success it would be for those who passed through this showcase.

Obviously, if names like Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner have reached the pinnacle of the circuit, it is not due to a sporadic participation in an event. However, their profiles were enhanced, at least for several weeks, by a tournament that exudes daring, a desire to succeed, and a vibe perhaps somewhat more relaxed than that of the ruthless regular circuit. This mix leaves no room for doubt: after seven editions, now facing the eighth edition, the Next Gen Finals have been a real success... and they are far from lowering their bar.

Alcaraz and Sinner, the two best examples in a list of many high caliber players

The two circuit dominators passed through this tournament at some point... and dominated it. Perhaps here lies one of its great successes, knowing how to promote and "spot" at the right moment those who had all the ingredients to dominate the professional circuit sooner rather than later. Many inhabitants of Milan still remember, back in November of 2019, how a frail red-haired young man who had gained access to this tournament with an invitation dominated his peers with a naturalness and crushing conviction, defeating in the final an Alex de Miñaur who had triple his experience: It was one of the first moments when the public realized the inexhaustible potential of the one from San Candido. A point in favor.

If the difference between Jannik and Carlos Alcaraz is only two years, the Spanish player took note... precisely two seasons later. The appearance of COVID postponed the blossoming of the Murcian, who waited until 2021 to make his first appearance, where he dominated with an iron fist in a week where he faced names like Brandon Nakashima or Holger Rune. If there is something that defines this format and serves as a sample of its success, it is its ability to replicate later rivalries on the circuit, something that became very clear to the general public in its initial editions.

Because yes, there is life beyond Jannik and Carlos, and it is precisely here where the Next Gen players revalue themselves. The main premise, to promote young talent, is backed by numbers: out of the 47 players who have participated in this event, 31 have reached the top 30, 15 have reached the top 10, nine have reached the top 5 and, in addition to the Spanish and Italian players, Daniil Medvedev completes the trio of number ones. Among those names that broke into the top 10, several threaten to increase their value in the coming seasons: Jack Draper, Holger Rune, Lorenzo Musetti, or Taylor Fritz, while others managed to combine their success in the Next Gen with a subsequent victory in their "adult mirror" event, the ATP Finals (Stefanos Tsitsipas has the honor, along with Jannik himself, of being the only one to repeat success in both events; he did so, moreover, in consecutive years, winning in Milan in 2018 and in London in 2019).

Chung or Donaldson, the ones who "couldn't be"

They are a very small percentage, but this tournament also has an interesting curriculum if we look at those players who aimed for the sky but fell short. The most remembered case is undoubtedly that of one of its champions: Hyeon Chung was the one who opened the list of champions in 2017, defeating Andrey Rublev in the final, but his path to stardom was broken by constant back injuries and physical fragility, as if a macabre wink of destiny had designated him as "sacrificed" in favor of the final success of the rest of the winners.

Jared Donaldson aimed to be a solid member of the ATP elite... until a chronic injury forced him to step away from this sport at just 25 years old. The wildcards granted to Italian players in its early editions reveal other stories like those of Gianluigi Quinzi, former world junior number one and another example of a great project that never fulfilled its potential, or Liam Caruana, who went from stealing sets from Taylor Fritz to becoming a real estate agent. They are the B sides of an undoubtedly successful event, a seedbed of great tennis players that starts a new edition in Jeddah in just two days. Who will be the next Alcaraz or Sinner?

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las Next Gen Finals y un éxito asegurado: tres números uno, múltiples top-10...