What has become of the recent winners of the ATP Next Gen Finals?

Eight years after its creation, the ATP Next Gen Finals continue to fascinate: laboratory of the future or ruthless mirror of the very highest level? A look back at the journey of all its champions.

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Arthur Millot

le 22/12/2025 à 08h56

3 min to read

Alcaraz Carlos Chung Hyeon Fonseca Joao Medjedovic Hamad Nakashima Brandon Sinner Jannik Tien Learner Tsitsipas Stefanos

Since 2017, the ATP Next Gen Finals have not been just a simple exhibition tournament for young talents. They have become a true barometer of the future of world tennis.

After Learner Tien's triumph in Jeddah, a question arises: what is a Next Gen Finals title really worth? History already provides some answers.

2017 – Hyeon Chung, the prodigy struck down

The first champion in history, Hyeon Chung embodied the bright future of Asian tennis. By dominating Andrey Rublev in the final and eliminating Medvedev, the Korean made a strong impression.

Moreover, his monumental feat against Novak Djokovic at the 2018 Australian Open seemed to confirm the obvious: a future top player was born.

But tennis can be cruel. Injuries abruptly halted his rise, causing him to fall outside the top 300. At 29, Chung remains the most striking example of immense talent that the body never allowed to fully express itself.

2018 – Stefanos Tsitsipas, from the summit to doubt

A flamboyant winner against Alex De Minaur, Tsitsipas converted his potential like few others. World number 3, Masters champion, Grand Slam finalist, the Greek long embodied the credible opposition to the Big Three.

But today, the contrast is striking. Ranked beyond the top 30, grappling with internal tensions and a loss of confidence, Tsitsipas is going through the most delicate period of his career.

2019 – Jannik Sinner, the winning machine

From his beginnings, Jannik Sinner exuded mastery. His triumph over De Minaur was only a prelude. Because a few years later, the Italian has become one of the dominant faces of world tennis.

Four Grand Slam titles, a stint as world number one, Sinner embodies total success.

2021 – Carlos Alcaraz, the beginnings of a great career

Against Korda, the 2021 Next Gen Finals marked, for many, a turning point in Alcaraz's career.

Today, the Spanish prodigy is world number one and a multiple Grand Slam champion.

2022 – Brandon Nakashima, the solid but discreet outsider

The surprise of his edition, Nakashima proved that talent could express itself without the spotlight. With an effective game, the American has established himself durably in the top 40.

But despite his consistency, the breakthrough to the very biggest stages is slow to come. At 24, he remains a dangerous player, but still in search of that spark that turns a career around.

2023 – Hamad Medjedovic, fire and doubts

The Serbian impressed with his power and mental strength during his triumph. But the very highest level forgives nothing.

Physical problems, lack of consistency, difficulty in stringing wins together, Medjedovic still alternates between promise and frustration.

At 22, everything remains possible. But his journey reminds us that raw talent is never enough without continuity.

2024 – João Fonseca, the new global sensation

He is perhaps the name that sparks the most dreams today. At only 19 years old, João Fonseca has won over the public and the tour.

Already an ATP 250 and ATP 500 champion, settled in the top 25, the Brazilian embodies the new wave of world tennis.

Powerful and ambitious: Fonseca seems to have all the cards in hand to mark the decade. And his Next Gen Finals title already appears as the beginning of a great story.

The ATP Next Gen Finals: springboard or ruthless revealer?

Eight champions, eight different trajectories but only one certainty: winning the Next Gen Finals guarantees nothing.

Mentality, physicality, entourage, and the ability to evolve determine what comes next.