Wimbledon dreams, Nishikori’s runs and Finch’s courtside lessons: #NextGenATP stars share early memories | ATP Tour

Next Generation ATP Finals

Wimbledon dreams, Nishikori’s runs and Finch’s courtside lessons: #NextGenATP stars share early memories

Sakamoto, Cina, Budkov Kjaer look back on their first tennis memories

October 21, 2025

Long before they competed for a spot at PIF’s Next Generation ATP Finals in Jeddah, they were just kids, playing basketball, looking up to their idols and dreaming of one day playing on tour.

In the first feature of our Next Generation ATP series Nextwe go back to the beginning and introduce Rei Sakamoto, Federico Cina and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, three players ranked in the top 20 and below at the PIF ATP Jeddah Live event. From family court sessions to center court inspiration, their journey to professional tennis begins in a very personal way.

For Japan’s Sakamoto, one of the most vivid early moments wasn’t a lesson or a victory, but a feeling.

“I was six years old and playing on a small court,” Sakamoto told ATPTour.com in New York. “I thought I hit the ball hard and it went away. It was so satisfying.”

Sakamoto smiled at the memory, especially considering there’s an earlier photo of him swinging a racket when he was three years old, a moment he doesn’t remember but his family certainly does.

“There’s a picture of me playing tennis with a kid’s racquet,” Sakamoto added. “I have no memory at all, but I guess I started early!”

In Italy, Sina picked up a racket around the same age, but in his case, tennis fanaticism ran deep in the family.

“I started with my grandpa and grandma at home,” Cina said. “So the first time was with them and also with my dad, who was a coach, so I always played with him in games. But the club I played for the first time was very close to my house, about 10 minutes away. The first few years I played at home and then when I was about five or six I started going to the club and spending the whole day there.”

When Cina was six years old, he spent his days at local courses and even attended events with his father, who was the coach of U.S. Open finalist Roberta Finch.

“I remember watching a lot of games and attending them because my dad was a coach,” said Cina, who is now coached by his father, Francisco. “I would go to the Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events as a kid. Those were really nice places and I loved going to the matches. I went to a lot of matches, so I guess my interest in tennis started there. When my dad coached Vinci, I went to a lot of matches and had some cool experiences. He was very important to my development because I started because of him and he passed that passion on to me and I’m very grateful.”

Budkov Kjaer’s connection to the sport also comes from family, albeit with a distinctly Norwegian flavour.

“My father worked for the federation for five years, so it was more natural for me to choose tennis,” Budkov Kjaer said. “He was still in the Federation when Casper [Ruud] Growing up as a teenager and rising to prominence on the ATP Tour. So he knows all the transitions and all the things that have to be done. “

Even when kids are able to get on the field and be coached, there are certain moments that light a fire, that feeling that comes from seeing the game play at the highest level.

“I remember watching Kei Nishikori in the U.S. Open final. Cilic destroyed him,” Sakamoto said. “But just watching him play and get this far in the game, it’s awesome. He inspires me a lot. It makes me believe that Japanese people can be good tennis players, great tennis players. That’s the game.”

Budkov Kjaer, who won four ATP Challenger titles in 2025 and finished sixth at the PIF ATP Live event in Jeddah, is aiming to make his debut at the Next Generation ATP Finals at PIF in December. The 19-year-old recalls the eureka moment while sitting in the Center Court stands.

“I played in the 2018 Wimbledon final with Djokovic and Anderson, and of course I wanted to come back in all white and play on the beautiful courts of Wimbledon,” said Budkov Kjaer, who will win the men’s singles title at that Grand Slam in 2024. “For me, the all white, green grass court, maybe this time of year makes Wimbledon extra special.”

The next batch of contestants is coming‼ ️

Who will be eligible for 2025 #NextGenATP finals? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CImerpCyEF

— NextGen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) September 26, 2025

As the trio continues to rise, they each take some time to reflect on how far they’ve come and how their younger selves might view their progress.

“My younger juniors would probably give me a high five and say, ‘Not bad! “At the time, I didn’t know what it actually entailed, and maybe it was a blessing,” Budkov Kjaer said. “But if you told a junior that in my first year as a pro I would be ranked ATP 136, win 50 matches and hold four Challenger titles, I think he would have laughed a lot.”

Cinna agreed. His younger self may not have realized this level, but he’ll feel right at home.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Masters 1,000 meters this year,” said Cina, who won first-round races in Miami and Madrid in 2025. “Madrid feels more comfortable than Miami. I’m adjusting and feeling more at home every time.”

Sakamoto has enjoyed success on the Challenger Tour this season with a victory in Cali. On tour, the 19-year-old qualified for Masters 1000 events in Miami and Shanghai. For Sakamoto, the measuring stick remains Kei Nishikori, and that remains a powerful motivator.

“When I compare myself to Kei who is the same age, I feel like he is in a different world,” Sakamoto said. “He just turned 18 and won his first ATP title. I won the Challenger title, but every time I feel closer, I also feel further away. But… I’m happy with my steps.”

Learn more about Sakamoto here
Learn more about Budkov Kjaer here
Learn more about China here

On October 28, 2025, we’ll hear how trainees Tien, Nishesh Basavareddy and Justin Engel are adapting to the Tour.