Rafael Nadal is heading back to Jeddah, and the young guns should probably warm up their handshakes now.
The Spanish legend will be on site for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF from 17-21 December, combining fan events and coaching duties with a clear mission to help grow tennis in the Kingdom.
Nadal’s Role: Ambassador, Coach, Crowd Magnet
The ATP confirmed Nadal will act as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation and take part in several activities designed to inspire younger players, both local and international, throughout the tournament week in Jeddah.
One highlight will be a meet and greet at the King Abdullah Sports City fan zone on 19 December, where fans can expect a mix of stories, selfies and perhaps a cheeky bit of advice from a multiple Grand Slam champion.
Last year Nadal mixed appearances with grassroots work, holding a clay-court coaching clinic at The Racquet Space and attending a prize giving at an under-14 Saudi Tennis Federation event, showing that his visit is as much about legacy as it is about flash.
He also paid a visit to the Onyx Arena to meet competitors at Saudi Arabia’s first wheelchair tennis event and checked in with Team Saudi’s Davis Cup players, a broad program that underlined his commitment to tennis development across formats.
The Draw Is Set: Who Makes The Cut
The eight-player field in Jeddah mixes established young stars and late-season risers, including last year’s finalist Learner Tien plus countrymen Martin Landaluce and Rafael Jodar, and challengers from across Europe and the Americas.
Top seed Learner Tien leads Blue Group after a breakthrough season that included 32 tour-level wins, a first ATP title in Metz and a career-high ranking of No. 28, making him one of the form players to watch in Jeddah.
Blue Group also contains Landaluce and Jodar, both Spaniards, with Landaluce hoping to follow in the footsteps of former champion Carlos Alcaraz and Jodar arriving after a late run of three Challenger titles in the final months of the season.
Belgian Alexander Blockx heads Red Group with Croatian Dino Prizmic, returning American Nishesh Basavareddy and the youngest player in the field, German Justin Engel, listed as an 18-year-old who impressed across surfaces this season.
Prizmic enjoyed an extended winning streak with two Challenger titles, while Basavareddy returns for a second straight Next Gen Finals after picking up notable tour-level wins during the year and working with coach Gilles Cervara.
Group stage play runs Wednesday through Friday, with the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Sunday, a compact schedule that rewards hot starts and punishes slow openings in round-robin competition.
What This Means For Saudi Tennis
Nadal has been vocal about his aim to inspire youngsters and support the Saudi Tennis Federation’s growth, citing the Kingdom’s fast progress and calling on collaboration to get more kids picking up a racquet and competing at every level.
“Coming back to Jeddah for the Next Gen ATP Finals is something I am looking forward to,”
Rafael Nadal
That line came with a longer explanation in the official release, where Nadal emphasized helping to develop tennis potential in the Kingdom and being proud to encourage more children to discover the sport.
Beyond the star presence, the event also gives young players a stage to make statements; the Next Gen Finals remain a launchpad for future tour success and a chance for fans in Saudi Arabia to see emerging talent up close.
The Jeddah field includes a mix of newcomers and breakout performers who used Challenger and tour-level late-season form to qualify, so expect competitive ties and a few surprise results before a champion is crowned in December.
Join the conversation on Facebook.
Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
