Nicolai Budkov Kjaer qualifies for next generation ATP Finals presented by PIF | ATP Tour
next generation
Budkov Kjaer qualifies for Next Generation ATP Finals hosted by PIF
Norwegian wins four Challenger Tour titles in 2025
November 28, 2025
Pierre Frog
Written by ATP Staff
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer qualified for the Next Generation ATP Finals hosted by PIF for the first time.
The 19-year-old Norwegian, who won four ATP Challenger titles in 2025, is the sixth player to qualify for the 20-and-under event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 17-21. Budkov Kjaer has made an impressive rise in the PIF ATP rankings, reaching a career-high No. 132.
While his continued success on the ATP Challenger Tour has given him a solid foundation, it was his breakout performance in Bastad – where he passed qualifying and then defeated Thiago Monteiro for his first ATP Tour win – that established him as a serious contender at PIF ATP Live in Jeddah.
The 2024 Wimbledon men’s champion grew up idolizing fellow Norwegian Caspar Ruud. Budkov Kjaer, who has trained with the former world number two and three-time Grand Slam finalist, describes Rudd as a “big brother” figure who learned valuable lessons along the way.
At the Next Generation ATP Finals hosted by PIF, Budkov Kjaer will be looking to join an elite group of former champions, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, with whom the Norwegian will serve as a sparring partner at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals.
Jakub Mensik, Learner Tien, Alexander Blockx, Dino Prizmic and Martin Landaluce also qualified for the 20-and-under competition.
