The 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals lost one of the Czech Republic’s most recognizable players – Jakub Mensik.
The 20-year-old world number 19 withdrew from the tournament due to injury. Mencic had a breakout season in 2025, winning the Miami Open and becoming the second youngest champion in the event’s history.
Mencik will be replaced by world number 187 Justin Engel of Germany in the tournament, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 17-21.
Engel, 18, is having a solid season on both the ATP Tour and the 2025 Challenger League. In Stuttgart, he became the second youngest player (since 1990) to win at tour level in all three matches, after Rafael Nadal.
Engel will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, along with fellow learners Tien, Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic, Martin Landaluce, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Nishesh Basavareddy and Rafael Jodar. The 20-and-under competition will be held from December 17 to 21.
Here are all the winners ahead of the Next Generation ATP Finals, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Joao Fonseca and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
