During Players’ Press Conferences at the Next Gen Tennis Tournament

Kjær: Blokx Deserves the Win… Tien: The Final Will Reveal the Truth

Jeddah | BETH

Belgian player Alexander Blokx expressed his happiness after securing a place in the final of the Next Gen ATP Finals, noting that the match was evenly contested, particularly in the second set, before fine details ultimately decided the outcome in his favor.

Blokx said:

“Facing Learner Tien in the final will be very tough. I always enjoy playing against him, especially after our meeting in Australia two years ago. The added value of this tournament for me lies in getting to know the players better and building relationships off the court, which is important and adds extra excitement. I hope the title will be mine.”

Acknowledging Deserved Qualification

For his part, Norwegian player Nicolai Budkov Kjær acknowledged that Blokx fully deserved his place in the final, citing his strong performance and superiority in key moments. He explained that the greatest gains from participating in the tournament come from competing at a high level and traveling around the world to gain experience and exposure to different cultures.

Kjær added:

“The Next Gen Finals are an ideal platform to showcase the world’s best young talents, and for us it is a very valuable experience. Having my father as my coach is an ideal choice—we share a strong relationship that has a significant impact, and I am grateful and happy to have him by my side.”

Tien: The Final Will Decide the Truth

Meanwhile, American Learner Tien confirmed that his final match against Blokx will be extremely challenging, especially following their previous encounter, which ended with his withdrawal after the first set. He stressed that the upcoming match will reveal the full picture.

Tien said:

“I’m happy with how my performance has been developing day by day and how that is reflected in the results. Winning the title would be a continuation of my success after claiming the Moselle Open. Most players here have not competed in tournaments for nearly two months, so fitness levels varied, especially given the different tournament format. Experience also played a small role in deciding some matches.”

In the Next Gen Semi-Finals

Blokx ContinOn Saturday evues His Winning Run… Tien Completes the Final Lineup

ening, 20 December 2025, the finalists of the Next Gen ATP Finals were confirmed. The tournament is organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, and sponsored by the Public Investment Fund, and is being held at the indoor arena of King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Belgian Alexander Blokx secured the first final berth after defeating Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjær in straight sets, while American Learner Tien claimed the second spot by overcoming compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy in three sets to nil.

The tournament concludes on Sunday, 21 December 2025, with a highly anticipated final between Alexander Blokx and top seed Learner Tien, scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

Facts & Figures

Belgian Alexander Blokx remains unbeaten in the tournament, topping his group with three consecutive victories. Meanwhile, Learner Tien suffered an early loss in his opening match against Spain’s Rafael Jodar, in a closely contested encounter that ended three sets to two in Jodar’s favor.