ATP Next Gen Finals groups set; new innovations to include timed bathroom breaks and courtside coaching

The Next Gen Finals have been a haven for innovation ever since they began in 2017, offering the world the chance to see the best eight players aged 21 and under from the calendar year. It seems like 2021 will be no different.

In addition to their usual format – best of five-set matches but with each set the first to four games, with no-ad scoring and electronic line-calling, the ATP announced on Saturday a series of new additions for the 2021 event, which will again be held in Milan, from November 9 to November 13.

Apart from the scoring system, the courts are marked up only for singles, and electronic line calling is used throughout. In 2021, there will also be some new rules.

• Shorter Warmups: Down from 4 minutes to 1.
• Courtside Coaching: Coaching opened up from the side-lines. No more headsets.
• Net Cams: Your front-row seat, right at the heart of the action.
• Limited Medical Time-Outs: One per player per match.
• Timed Bathroom Breaks: Max 3 minutes (+ up to 2 for change of attire). Clock’s ticking. (as per ATP Tour)

The eight players have already been split into two groups, as follows:

Group A – Carlos Alcaraz, Brandon Nakashima, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Holger Rune
Group B – Sebastian Korda, Lorenzo Musetti, Sebastian Baez, Hugo Gaston

Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, chose not to compete in this year’s event.

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