Subsequent Gen ATP Finals
Wimbledon desires, Nishikori’s run & Vinci’s courtside classes: #NextGenATP stars share early recollections
Sakamoto, Cina, Budkov Kjaer replicate on their first tennis recollections
October 21, 2025
Mike Lawrence/Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Rei Sakamoto and Federico Cina are aiming to compete on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF in Jeddah.
By Sam Jacot
Lengthy earlier than they have been chasing a spot on the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in Jeddah, they have been simply children, hitting balls, wanting as much as their idols and dreaming of someday making it on Tour.
Within the first function of our Subsequent Gen ATP sequence Subsequent in Line, we return to the start with Rei Sakamoto, Federico Cina and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, three of the highest 20-and-under gamers within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Jeddah. From household courtroom classes to Centre Courtroom inspiration, their roads to professional tennis started in very private methods.
For Japan’s Sakamoto, probably the most vivid early moments wasn’t a lesson or a win, it was a sense.
“I used to be six years previous, enjoying on small courts,” Sakamoto instructed ATPTour.com in New York. “I believe I hit a smash and it flew off. It was so satisfying.”
Sakamoto laughed on the reminiscence, particularly contemplating there’s a fair earlier picture of him swinging a racquet at age three, a second he doesn’t bear in mind, however one his household actually does.
“There’s a photograph of me hitting tennis balls with a child’s racquet,” Sakamoto added. “I completely haven’t any reminiscence, however I assume I began early!”
In Italy, Cina was selecting up racquets across the identical age, however in his case, the tennis bug ran deep within the household.
“I began with my grandpa and grandma, at house,” Cina mentioned. “So the primary time was with them, additionally with my dad, he is a coach, so on the tournaments, I at all times performed with him. However the membership I first performed at was close to my house, about 10 minutes away. I performed at house within the first years after which after I was round 5 – 6, I began going to the membership and stayed there all day.”
By the point Cina was six, he spent total days at his native courts and even travelled to occasions alongside his dad, who coached US Open finalist Roberta Vinci.
“I bear in mind watching lots and going to tournaments as a result of my dad was a coach,” mentioned Cina, who’s now coached by his father Francesco. “I might go to the Slams and Masters 1000 occasions as a child. They have been very nice locations and I loved watching at the moment. I watched loads of matches, so I believe I developed an curiosity in tennis from there. I watched lots when my dad was teaching Vinci, some cool experiences. He was essential in my improvement as a result of I began due to him and he handed that zeal onto me and I’m very grateful.”
Budkov Kjaer’s connection to the game additionally got here by household, although with a distinctly Norwegian twist.
“My dad was within the Federation for 5 years, so it was extra pure for me to decide on tennis,” mentioned Budkov Kjaer. “He was within the Federation when Casper [Ruud] was rising up as a junior and establishing on the ATP Tour. So he knew all of the transitions and all of the issues that needed to be executed.”
At the same time as children with entry to courts and coaches, there have been particular moments that lit a hearth, the type that got here from seeing the sport performed at its highest degree.
“I bear in mind watching Kei Nishikori within the US Open closing. Cilic destroyed him,” Sakamoto mentioned. “However simply watching him enjoying, going so deep within the event was superior to look at. He impressed me lots. That gave me the boldness that Japanese will be good tennis gamers, nice tennis gamers. That is the match.”
Budkov Kjaer has received 4 ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025 and is sixth within the PIF ATP Reside Race To Jeddah, aiming to make his debut on the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF in December. The 19-year-old recollects having a lightbulb second when sitting within the stands of Centre Courtroom.
“I attended the Wimbledon closing in 2018 with Djokovic and Anderson and off track I needed to return again in all white and play on Wimbledon‘s lovely courts,” mentioned Budkov Kjaer, who received the Boys’ singles title on the main in 2024. “For me, the all white, inexperienced grass courts and possibly the time of yr makes Wimbledon additional particular.”
The subsequent class of gamers is arriving‼️
Who will qualify for the 2025 #NextGenATPFinals? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CImerpCyEF
— Subsequent Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) September 26, 2025
Because the trio continues to rise, they every took a second to replicate on how far they’ve come and what their youthful selves may consider their progress.
“My younger junior me would most likely give me a excessive 5 and say, “Not unhealthy!” Again then, I had no thought what it actually takes, which was possibly a blessing,” Budkov Kjaer mentioned. “However in the event you instructed junior-me I’d be ranked ATP 136, profitable 50 matches and 4 Challenger titles in my first yr as a professional, I believe he’d be smiling fairly broad.”
Cina agreed. His youthful self won’t recognise the extent but, however he’d really feel proper at house.
“I’m grateful I had the prospect to play at Masters 1000s this yr,” mentioned Cina, who received first-round matches on the degree in Miami and Madrid in 2025. “Madrid felt extra comfy than Miami. I’m adjusting, feeling extra at house each time.”
Sakamoto has loved success on the Challenger Tour this season, triumphing in Cary. On Tour, the 19-year-old got here by qualifying to compete at Masters 1000 occasions in Miami and Shanghai. For Sakamoto, the measuring stick continues to be Nishikori and that is still a robust motivator.
“Once I evaluate myself to Kei at my age, I really feel like he’s in a unique world,” Sakamoto mentioned. “He received his first ATP title simply after turning 18. I’ve received a Challenger, however each time I really feel nearer, I additionally really feel farther. Nonetheless… I’m pleased with my steps.”
Learn more about Sakamoto here
Learn more about Budkov Kjaer here
Learn more about Cina here
On 28 October 2025, we’ll hear how Learner Tien, Nishesh Basavareddy and Justin Engel have adjusted to the Tour.
