What Is 2017 Next Generation ATP Finals

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Next Generation ATP Finals was an inaugural tournament for male tennis players aged 21 and under, held in Milan, Italy, from November 7 to 11, 2017. Hyeon Chung won the singles title by defeating Andrey Rublev in the final.

Key Facts

The tournament took place from November 7–11, 2017, in Milan, Italy
It was the first edition of the Next Generation ATP Finals
Hyeon Chung won the singles title, defeating Andrey Rublev 4–3, 4–3, 4–2
All matches used best-of-five sets, with first-to-four games per set
The event featured the top 8 ATP players aged 21 and under

Overview

The 2017 Next Generation ATP Finals marked the debut of a new year-end tournament designed to showcase the sport’s rising stars. Exclusively for male players aged 21 and under, it was held at the Fiera Milano in Milan, Italy, from November 7 to 11, 2017.

The event was introduced by the ATP to modernize tennis with experimental rules and attract younger audiences. Featuring the top eight ranked players under 21, it combined competitive stakes with innovations like shortened sets and no-let serves.

First edition: This was the inaugural Next Generation ATP Finals, launched as a successor to the traditional ATP World Team Cup format for young players.
Eligibility: Only players aged 21 or younger during the calendar year were eligible, based on ATP rankings following the 2017 ATP Finals.
Location: The tournament was hosted in Milan, Italy, at the Fiera Milano Arena, a venue chosen for its modern facilities and central European accessibility.
Champion:Hyeon Chung of South Korea won the singles title, defeating Andrey Rublev 4–3, 4–3, 4–2 in the final.
Format: Matches were played in a round-robin group stage followed by semifinals and a final, with all matches using best-of-five sets to four games.

How It Works

The tournament introduced several experimental rules to test potential changes for professional tennis. Designed to speed up play and increase viewer engagement, these innovations were closely monitored by the ATP for future adoption.

Set Format: Each set was played to four games, with a tiebreak at 3–3, and best-of-five sets used throughout the tournament.
No-Let Serves:Let serves counted as live, eliminating the traditional let rule to maintain rally momentum and reduce interruptions.
Electronic Line Calling:All lines were monitored by Hawk-Eye, eliminating line judges and reducing human error in close calls.
Coaching Allowed: Players could receive real-time coaching from their team during matches, a first in ATP-sanctioned events.
Shorter Serve Clock: A 15-second serve clock was enforced between points, down from the standard 25 seconds, to increase pace.
On-Court Challenges: Players had three challenges per set, with an additional challenge awarded in a fifth set if applicable.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of traditional ATP Tour rules versus the experimental format used in the 2017 Next Generation ATP Finals:

Feature	Standard ATP Rules	2017 Next Gen ATP Finals
Set Length	Best-of-three or five sets to six games	Best-of-five sets to four games
Let Serves	Serves on the net and in are replayed	Let serves counted as live
Line Calling	Human line judges with limited Hawk-Eye	Fully electronic line calling via Hawk-Eye
Coaching	Not allowed during matches	Allowed via electronic device
Serve Clock	25 seconds between points	15 seconds between points

The experimental format aimed to test faster, more engaging tennis. While not adopted league-wide, several features like electronic line calling and shorter points have influenced future ATP innovations, particularly in lower-tier events and exhibition matches.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Next Generation ATP Finals was significant for shaping the future of professional tennis through rule experimentation and youth development. It provided a global platform for emerging players and tested changes that could improve the sport’s appeal.

Player Development: The event highlighted future stars like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov, both of whom later broke into the ATP top 10.
Rule Innovation: The no-let serve and shortened sets sparked debate and influenced later ATP testing in Next Gen events through 2023.
Engagement: Attendance and viewership were strong, with over 28,000 fans attending in person and millions watching online.
Technology Integration: Full Hawk-Eye use reduced disputes and demonstrated the viability of removing line judges.
Global Reach: Broadcast in over 100 countries, the tournament expanded the ATP’s footprint in non-traditional tennis markets.
Legacy: The tournament continued annually until 2022, when it was rebranded as the Next Gen ATP Finals without age restrictions.

The 2017 edition set a precedent for innovation in tennis, blending competitive rigor with forward-thinking changes that continue to influence the sport’s evolution.