Player Features

With Ruud's support, Budkov Kjaer carving his own path

Making history is one thing. Sharing that history with your idol is another. But making history while being friends with your idol? That is next level.

Such is the case for Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the 18-year-old who recently became the second-youngest Norwegian — behind Casper Ruud — to win an ATP Challenger Tour title.

When Ruud captured his first Challenger title as a 17-year-old in 2016, Budkov Kjaer’s father, Alexander, was the CEO of the Norwegian Tennis Federation, a position he held for five years. This background has given Budkov Kjaer and his family valuable insight into the journey from junior tennis to the professional level.

“I think it’s very underlooked how important it is that your parents are involved. At least for me, it’s very hard to do a sport like tennis alone without somebody watching you and understanding what you need,” Budkov Kjaer told ATPTour.com.

“Of course when the parent has the experience and has seen players go through the stages, it helps a lot. Of course the more experience they have, the better. I’m happy that he has that experience.”

Hailing from a country without a deep tennis tradition, Budkov Kjaer grew up idolising Roger Federer before naturally gravitating toward Ruud as his countryman began making his mark.

Ruud has become more than an idol to Budkov Kjaer. The highest-ranked Norwegian in PIF ATP Rankings history is a friend, role model and Davis Cup teammate of Budkov Kjaer, who received a congratulatory text from Ruud after winning the Glasgow Challenger.

“He’s like a big brother to me. He says some things here and there, and some tips and tricks,” Budkov Kjaer said. “He’s really a great guy. What people say on the Tour, that he is one of the nicest, is really true in my opinion. He’s really a nice guy and I’m very happy to have a countryman representing us as a nation and hopefully I can represent our nation in the same way together with him in some years.

“It’s very cool to get messages from him every time, even though it’s usual. Every time I get a little more happy when I see a message from him.”

Now Budkov Kjaer is aiming to join Ruud at the highest levels of the sport. The #NextGenATP star claimed last year’s Wimbledon boys' singles trophy to become the first Norwegian to win a Slam singles title in any discipline, junior or professional.

In late February, Budkov Kjaer was competing in just his fifth Challenger event in Glasgow, where he clinched the title, ousting fellow Norwegian Viktor Durasovic in the final. Durasovic, 27, had won the previous month’s Nottingham Challenger.

^{Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is crowned champion at the Glasgow Challenger. Credit: Rob Eyton-Jones}

“You always want to believe you have the level to beat the guys at the top and I always had the belief that I’m a very dangerous opponent,” said Budkov Kjaer, who following his title, hit a career-high No. 297 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “In a way, yes, [I am surprised] that it came. Because everybody on the Challenger Tour is so ridiculously good. But in a way, no, because I’ve always had the belief that I’m a good player.”

When further expanding on the gap between ATP Challenger Tour players and those on the ATP Tour, Budkov Kjaer emphasises the narrow margins.

“I don’t think the difference between a Top 50 guy and a person who is 150 or 200 is the level of the game they play. Everybody can play exceptionally good, but the top guys are so good at closing the match. They win the important points,” Budkov Kjaer said. “In a match, there are always some key moments and the best always win in a way, that’s why they are at the top.”

Before the accolades and early recognition, Budkov Kjaer’s love for tennis began at age “three or four” when he first picked up a racquet during a vacation. He laughs recalling his early days in Oslo, running around the courts, “not knowing what I was doing”.

^{A 7-year-old Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. Credit: Budkov Kjaer family}

Now, the teeanger splits time between the Monte-Carlo Country Club, the Piatti Tennis Center and Norway. He was one of three players selected (Juan Carlos Prado Angelo, Andres Martin) to be a sparring partner at last year’s Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where he practised with top-ranked players, including Ruud.

Budkov Kjaer is not the only rising talent in his family. His 14-year-old sister, Alexandra Budkova Kjaer, is also a name to watch.

“She's as dedicated to tennis as I am and I hope she can reach her goals and dreams,” said Budkov Kjaer. “She’s very ambitious for being that young.”

Did You Know?
The ATP Challenger Tour has featured three teenage champions in 2025: Budkov Kjaer, Alexander Blockx and Joao Fonseca. Still early in the season, all three players are in the top eight of the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Fonseca won the 20-and-under event last December.