This is how all the champions of the ATP Next Gen Finals have fared: Alcaraz, Sinner, Fonseca
Since the tournament's creation in 2017, each champion has had a different path in their professional career, but most have ended up succeeding on the ATP circuit.
In 2017, the ATP had the brilliant idea of creating a Next Gen Masters for young promises. The eight most exciting rackets in the circuit facing off at the end of each season to crown a new raw diamond. Thus, the ATP Next Gen Finals were born, whose 2025 final will feature Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx this Sunday, December 21 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).
Throughout its history, this tournament has had champions of all kinds. Players who ended up suffering critical injuries for their career, future world number ones, and players who will go down in the history of this sport. Today, at Punto de Break, we review each edition and how each player who has lifted this prestigious title has fared.
2017 - Hyeon Chung
The South Korean player was the first champion of the ATP Next Gen Finals. At the time, Hyeon Chung was one of the most promising players on the circuit, and as a result, he achieved this triumph. Chung won that year's final against Andrey Rublev (3-4 4-3 4-2 4-2) and defeated players like Denis Shapovalov or Daniil Medvedev along the way. The following year, he made a giant leap in his career with his famous victory over Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, propelling him to stardom.
In fact, Hyeon reached as high as number 19 in the world, but starting from 2019, he suffered a series of injuries that completely derailed his career. Currently, he is ranked 363 in the ATP rankings, and at 29 years old, it seems unlikely that he will return to the level that once made him one of the biggest promises on the tennis circuit.
2018 - Stefanos Tsitsipas
The Greek player achieved a clean sweep of victories in the 2018 edition, winning the final against Alex De Minaur (2-4 4-1 4-3 4-3) and defeating players like Andrey Rublev, Frances Tiafoe, Hubert Hurkacz, or Jaume Munar along the way. Since then, his career skyrocketed to the top of the ATP rankings, reaching as high as number three in the world and winning the Masters Cup just a year after winning the ATP Next Gen Finals.
Although Tsitsipas has won several Masters 1000 titles and reached Grand Slam finals, his performance has significantly declined. Currently, he is ranked number 34 in the ATP rankings. The ups and downs with his father (and coach), along with a 2025 filled with poor results, have placed the Greek player in the midst of the worst period of his career. However, at 27 years old, he still has room to change the trend.
2019 - Jannik Sinner
There's little to say about the Italian player, as the numbers speak for themselves. Sinner won the final of the 2019 edition against Alex De Minaur (4-2 4-1 4-2), and time has proven him right. Although Jannik took a couple of extra years to explode, once he developed his potential alongside Darren Cahill, he became one of the most complete players on the circuit.
Sinner has been the world number one until a few months ago, he has four Grand Slam titles to his name (two Australian Opens, one Wimbledon, and one US Open) at just 24 years old, and together with Carlos Alcaraz, they are leading a dominance that shows no signs of ending soon. If injuries do not hinder him, everything indicates that the San Candido player is destined to make history in the king sport of tennis.
2021 - Carlos Alcaraz
This year marked the beginning of the journey of one of the most important players in the history of Spanish tennis. The famous point against Brandon Nakashima, the final against Sebastian Korda (4-3 4-2 4-2), with hardly a set lost throughout the tournament... This is where it all began. Due to Covid-19, there was no edition in 2020, but the wait was worth it. Alcaraz had already been achieving good results during 2021 (quarterfinals in the US Open), but this tournament was the consecration of all that would come next.
At just 22 years old, Carlos Alcaraz is currently the world number one, has six Grand Slam titles in his palmarès, and numerous significant titles, with the potential to make history. If he continues at this pace, his numbers could be unrepeatable, giving him the opportunity to fulfill his dream of dining at the same table as the 'Big Three' someday.
2022 - Brandon Nakashima
The American player surprised everyone in the 2022 edition by defeating players like Jack Draper and winning the final against Jiri Lehecka (4-3 4-3 4-2). At 24 years old, Nakashima has not yet made the qualitative leap expected of him, but he is a very dangerous player, especially on fast courts.
Relying on his great serve, Brandon has secured several significant victories and currently holds the 33rd position in the ATP rankings. During this season, he reached as high as number 29, but he still needs to become more complete and consistent to reach the final rounds of major tournaments.
2023 - Hamad Medjedovic
Medjedovic is one of the great hopes of Serbian tennis, and two years ago, he managed to win the trophy by defeating Artur Fils in the final (3-4 4-1 4-2 3-4 4-1). Hamad possesses great tennis skills when he is at his 100%, but he struggles with consistency.
Moreover, if a match prolongs, he tends to struggle physically, which has caused him to drop to 83rd place in the ranking. In August, he reached as high as 57th place, but he still lacks that extra something to compete on equal terms with the world's best players. However, Medjedovic is still 22 years old, so it is expected that he will reach high positions as soon as he finds his tennis maturity.
2024 - Joao Fonseca
The most recent champion to date, the new hope of Brazilian tennis and one of the greatest talents remembered in recent times. Joao Fonseca is a real phenomenon, and last year he lifted the trophy by defeating Learner Tien in the final (2-4 4-3 4-0 4-2).
In his first full year on the circuit, Fonseca has already secured an ATP 250 title (Buenos Aires) and an ATP 500 title (Basel), in addition to several Challenger titles, placing him in 24th place in the rankings at just 19 years old. Considering that it was his first full year on the circuit, the sky's the limit for him, so great things are expected from the Brazilian for the upcoming season.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así les ha ido a todos los campeones de las ATP Next Gen Finals: Alcaraz, Sinner, Fonseca...