The NextGen finals, which have been held in Milan since 2017, were primarily intended as a performance show for the upcoming aces on the ATP tour. But also as an opportunity to try new things. Short sentences of up to four, for example, which have not yet caught on on the tour. Or the abolition of net surcharges. It's been around at junior level for a long time. Men's serves are still repeated after touching the net.

The fact that the players have to get their own towels was also introduced at the NextGen finals. This is now common practice. But more because the corona pandemic has created new circumstances.

And this year? There are a few new things there. and the goal seems clear: the matches have to be even shorter. First of all, sides are not changed after two, but after three games. That may not matter in the hall. In outdoor tennis, this could lead to distortion. After all, sun and wind usually play a major role there.

Musetti and Rune as favorites

And, speaking of saving time, if a point is decided with just one shot, i.e. by an ace, a double fault or a return fault, then the server only gets 15 seconds between points.

Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune must be the favorites in the 2022 test series. Both have already celebrated two tournament wins this season. Musetti in Hamburg and Naples, Rune in Munich and Stockholm.