Learners Tien and Alexander Blockx reveal how next-gen ATP Finals format tested their campaign | ATP Tour

Next Generation ATP Finals

Tien and Blockx reveal how next-gen ATP Finals format tested their event

Top seed talks to ATPTour.com about Jeddah’s innovative format

December 20, 2025

Participating in the Next Generation ATP Finals hosted by PIF is not easy.

The game quickly reached four sets, with scores coming thick and fast, and the momentum shifted before the players even had time to wash up. Tennis has lost its safety net, a format that, as we have seen so far, rewards quick starts, brave decisions and unwavering focus from the first ball to the last.

Top seed Tian Tian lost four match points in a shock opening defeat to Rafael Hodahl and already had a sense of how quickly control could slip away.

“I’m not sure if it’s the format or maybe it’s just me, but I feel like I’ve been trying to focus on some of these matches this week,” Tian told ATPTour.com after his first win over Martin Landalus. “My thoughts are always coming and going, especially when I’m rising in the score, and in this format the momentum can change very quickly.

“I got up and I got a couple points and all of a sudden we’re in the no-ad spot and the momentum changes so quickly and all of a sudden you can lose a game.”

Learner Tien, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2025/12/20/13/20/in-arena-stats-jeddah-2025.jpg?w=100%25″>_{^{Players, coaches and fans can view live statistics from the field. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}}

This slim margin was magnified by sudden death draws. For Belgium’s Alexander Bloux, those moments were opportunities rather than obstacles. The 20-year-old performed well when the game was tight, which was a big reason why he swept the group with a perfect 3-0.

“Knowing that dropping serve could be costly, or get more break points when a sudden-death draw plays out in my mind, but this week I feel like I’m playing well on those key points,” said Blox, who saved 86 percent (19/22) of break points in the group stage, according to Infosys ATP statistics. “When it’s a decisive moment, I’m more focused.

“I don’t think too much about the pressure of these points, I just give it my all and I think how I handle the big moments is very important for me to get off to a good start here and qualify for the semifinals.”

Alexander Blockx” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2025/12/20/13/17/blockx-forehand-format-feature-jeddah-2025.jpg”>_{^{Alexander Bloks won all three games in the group stage. Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour}}

Blockx’s 76 wins in the first three group games provided a perfect example of how to expertly utilize offense in this fast-paced format. This offensive mentality is reinforced in real time, with on-field analytics giving players, coaches and fans insight into who is commanding the scoring, how each at-bat is performing, and which player is winning the battle when leading or scrambling on defense.

Read the rules and innovations here

Jumpstarting was another recurring theme this week. Falling behind early in a four-set match can be costly. Croatia’s Dino Prizmic endured such pain when he lost to Nishesh Basavareddy in his opening match, but he fought back with a sharp start against Justin Engel.

“For the first set, it’s important to start quickly, but the match is long and you need to win three sets,” Przymic said after his four-set victory over Engel. “It’s important to start quickly, you have to adapt quickly, but if you can start quickly you can have a lot of control very quickly.”

Due to the lack of substitutions after the first set, the physical rhythm of the match also changed, leaving no room for Prizmic to hide and adapt easily. Instead, you have to be ready for battle from the start.

“For me, it’s better not to change every game. Sometimes, after a game, I sit down and feel a little cold, and then I need to find some rhythm and warm up again,” the 20-year-old explained. “It’s good here because we can play three games in a row and you feel the warmth right away.”

In addition to the intense competition on the field, the round-robin format also brings pressure and opportunity. Every game is important, but one loss doesn’t mean it’s over, a dynamic that reflects the challenges of tour life.

For example, Tiann recovered from an early loss to top the group, while Jordal was eliminated despite also finishing with a 2-1 record.

“It’s been a very tough but good experience,” Przymic said of the format. “Every win is very important and you have to be balanced after a group loss so you can come back. Everyone is within the top 200 so you can go right in.”

Ultimately, that’s the magic of the Next Generation ATP Finals. It rewards boldness, punishes hesitation, and accelerates development. It’s a dynamic proving ground where the future of men’s tennis learns to live on the edge.