The Future! Six #NextGenATP stars to watch

Jeddah Hopes

Blockx is fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and is in early contention to compete at the 20-and-under event. The Belgian beat last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF finalists Fonseca and Tien in the boys' singles at the Australian Open in 2023 and is keen for a taste of Jeddah himself.

“I think it could be the main goal for this year. I’m very motivated to compete there at the end of the year. I even follow the Race to Jeddah and stuff to see how many points I have,” Blockx said. “Two years ago, I think it was too early. But last year I was pretty close to qualifying, like 12th or 13th. I was watching and I was like, ‘Okay, this is something I want to do next year!’”

Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez

Results

Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez made history last month in Acapulco where, at 19, he became the youngest Mexican player to win an ATP Tour match since 1996 (Alejandro Hernandez, Santiago). The teen overcame Aleksandar Vukic and then received a walkover from Casper Ruud to reach his first ATP Tour quarter-final.

“I have no words to describe what happened, I feel butterflies in my stomach, it was all very fast, it was an incredible emotion and more than anything the Mexican public how they supported me from point one to the last,” Pacheco Mendez said, according to Acapulco’s tournament website.

Pacheco Mendez, a former junior No. 1, also defeated then-No. 91 Thiago Agustin Tirante at the Morelos Challenger for his first Top 100 win last year. Pacheco Mendez has reached two quarter-finals on the ATP Challenger Tour, the first of which fittingly came in Acapulco last April at the Arena GNP, the same venue that hosts the ATP 500 event where he clinched his maiden tour-level victory

Development

Pacheco Mendez was introduced to tennis by his father, often playing alongside his twin sister, Fernanda. At 12, already one of Mexico's top talents, he traveled to Europe for a month-long trip to compete against international players.

“I remember I didn’t speak English and we didn’t have too much money. My family made a big effort to send me to Europe, to raise the money was very difficult. I remember we ate pizza every day because it was the cheapest thing,” Pacheco Mendez told ATPTour.com last year.

Despite the language barrier and unfamiliar surroundings, he competed in Slovenia, Italy, Austria, and Croatia, with only his coach and a friend for support. Back then, his English was limited to “Hello, how are you?”—a skill he later honed through movies and travel.

During that trip, Pacheco Mendez clinched three singles titles and helped his team win in Italy, a victory that marked his breakthrough. “It was a shock,” he said. “I was a Mexican player beating top guys in Europe. That made me think I have a chance to be professional.”

By his second year in the 14s, Pacheco Mendez broke into the Top 10 in Europe, with a highest ranking of No. 7. “It was crazy,” he said. “I hadn’t played many tournaments, but I still competed with the best.”

Off-Court Interests

Off the court, Pacheco Mendez has a clear favourite pastime: theme parks.

“My favourite thing to do in the world is going to Universal Studios, Disney and theme parks with rides. If you ask me, ‘What do you prefer, a tournament or go to Universal, I will go to Universal'," Pacheco Mendez said.

“I go just for vacation. I’ve been to Universal in Orlando like four times, Disney in Orlando three times and Disney in LA [Los Angeles] just once.”

Other Influences

Budkov Kjaer has also praised the role his father played in his development. The 18-year-old enjoyed both hockey and tennis as a kid, but opted for the latter due to his father’s role at the Norwegian Tennis Federation.

“My dad was in the Federation for five years or something, so it was more natural for me to choose tennis,” said Budkov Kjaer, who is seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. “He was in the Federation when Casper [Ruud] was growing up as a junior and establishing on the ATP Tour. So he knew all the transitions and all the things that have to be done.”

Today, the teenager splits time between the Monte-Carlo Country Club, the Piatti Tennis Center and Norway. Having broken into the Top 300 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time following his win, Budkov Kjaer will aim to make his tour-level debut in the coming months.

Rei Sakamoto

Results

Rei Sakamoto’s first taste of the big time came in Melbourne last January, when he was crowned champion at the Australian Open boys’ singles event.

“I think winning that big tournament gave me confidence that I can perform on a big stage,” Sakamoto told ATPTour.com. “Playing at Rod Laver Arena — the feeling I had was exactly the same from when I was watching at home on TV. That was a really special experience. That was the best memory I’ve had in my life.”

After starting 2024 on a high, Rei Sakamoto ended last season by making history when he became the second-youngest Japanese winner on the ATP Challenger Tour, behind Kei Nishikori. The 18-year-old triumphed in Yokkaichi after competing as a wild card in just his sixth Challenger outing.

Looking to hit new heights this season, the No. 330 in the PIF ATP Rankings made his tour-level debut in Miami after qualifying for an ATP Masters 1000 event on his first attempt.

Nishikori Role

Much like Budkov Kjaer with Ruud, Sakamoto has been heavily influenced by countryman and former World No. 4 Nishikori.

Sakamoto was just eight years old when Nishikori reached the US Open final in 2014. By this stage he had begun playing tennis and would later choose the sport over his other passion: swimming.

“Practising swimming was not fun at all, you’re just moving back and forth and it makes no sense to me,” Sakamoto said. “So I chose tennis.”

By 2022, Sakamoto had moved from Japan to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where Nishikori began training at age 14. As a Tour veteran with experience of making an early breakthrough, Nishikori has generously shared advice with his younger statesman, who stands at 6’4” (193cm).

“I think almost two years ago we were practising and we were taking a rest, drinking water, he said, ‘If you could put more pressure, with your height, with the serve plus-one, that’s how the top pros are right now,’” said Sakamoto, who teamed with Nishikori in doubles at last year’s ATP 500 event in Tokyo. “I started thinking about changing my tennis a little bit to a more aggressive way.”

Jeddah Goals

Sakamoto’s adjustments have paid off so far with his recent success. Ninth in the Live Race To Jeddah, the 18-year-old has one eye on the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

“The goal is to be playing qualifying for the US Open, to have enough ranking for that,” Sakamoto said. “If I could play the Next Gen Finals, that would be a great experience.”

Martin Landaluce

Results

Martin Landaluce added his name to elite company in October last year when he became the youngest Spanish ATP Challenger Tour champion since Carlos Alcaraz in 2021. The then-18-year-old triumphed in Italy to become the fifth Spaniard since 2000 to win a Challenger title aged 18 or younger. The first four players all ascended to the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Rankings: Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Almagro.

Pre-dating his Challenger success, Landaluce clinched the 2022 US Open boys’ singles title and in March 2024 earned his first tour-level win at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami. The 19-year-old made his major debut at the Australian Open in January after qualifying.

Early Influences

Growing up in Madrid, tennis was more than a passion for Landaluce — it was a family affair. His father, Alejandro, still competes on the ITF Seniors Tour and tennis has been a constant presence in Martin’s life since before he could walk. As a toddler, he’d practise with his mother, Elena, in the doubles alley, while his siblings, Lucas and Alejandra, took lessons from their father. Afterward, Martin would spend time hitting with his dad for a few minutes —long enough to ignite a lifelong love for the game.

By the time the Spaniard was nine, he was already competing at junior events and attending the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid, which holds great significance for Landaluce in his journey.

“I was there watching many times like, ‘I want to be there. I want to play there and win the tournament’. It’s a great goal to have in mind,” said Landaluce, who received a main draw wild card the past two years in Madrid.

“I remember watching [Nikoloz] Basilashvili... I remember that match thinking, ‘Wow, I want to play like this!’ He was doing amazing winners... I think it is one of the matches that I remember that was [impactful].”

Nadal & Alcaraz

Landaluce was born in 2006, a year after Rafael Nadal won his first Roland Garros crown. Fast forward to 2020 and the Spaniard was lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires for the 13th time. It was then that Landaluce first stepped into Nadal’s world when the pair hit together at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar.

“It was pure excitement,” Landaluce said. “I don’t usually get nervous in those situations. But hitting with Rafa was something else. His power, his consistency, it was like nothing I’d ever seen. For the first 10 minutes, he doesn’t care if he misses, but then after that, he doesn’t miss a single shot for the next hour. Every ball is hit with perfect depth, just a meter or two over the net. It was incredible.”

Nadal’s impact went beyond just his playing ability. The Spaniard has become a mentor to Landaluce, offering valuable advice and continuing to guide him through the ups and downs of the professional tour.

“I’m very grateful for everything Rafa has done for me,” Landaluce added. “He’s given me so much advice, and I’ve learned a lot from him. It’s been amazing to spend time with him.”

While Nadal remains a towering figure in Spanish tennis, 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz has emerged as the next face of the sport. Landaluce, however, finds Alcaraz just as approachable and supportive as Nadal. The two have forged a bond over the years and have trained together.

“I have a really good relationship with Carlos,” Landaluce says. “We’ve been in contact for years and have the same manager. When I first met him, I was amazed by how down-to-earth he was. It was at the Masters 1000 in Madrid and everyone wanted to take photos with him, but he was just so relaxed. It really struck me how normal he was. He’s an amazing guy, and I think that’s part of the reason he’s been so successful. We hit together for the first time in Madrid in 2022 when I was doing sparring.”

#NextGenATP Goals

Landaluce was an alternate at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. The Spaniard spoke to ATPTour.com at the time about his Jeddah experience.

“It’s a huge motivation to be here, practising with these incredible players,” Landaluce said. “It’s an honour to be part of this group. I’m enjoying every moment and can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.”

Now 10th in the Live Race To Jeddah, Landaluce will hope to make his Jeddah debut this year and follow in the footsteps of former champion Alcaraz.