In a thrilling tennis showdown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Hamad Medjedovic made history by clinching the Next Gen Finals championship title in a gripping five-set battle against top-seeded Arthur Fils. The match saw Medjedovic holding two match points before eventually securing victory, marking the first five-set final in the tournament’s six-year history.
Despite missing an opportunity to seal the deal in four sets, Medjedovic showcased resilience, converting his third match point in the fifth set to triumph with a final scoreline of 3-4 (6), 4-1, 4-2, 3-4 (9), 4-1 after a compelling two hours and eleven minutes on the court. The 20-year-old Serbian standout emerged as the first from his country to claim victory in this prestigious tournament, which gathers the top eight players aged 21 or under.
Medjedovic’s path to the title was impeccable, as he did not drop a single match en route to his historic win. Despite being the lowest-ranked champion at No. 110, he expressed his disbelief and excitement, stating, “I can’t believe I have won this title, but it’s going to give me a lot of confidence for 2024.”
This year’s tournament marked a significant shift as it took place in Saudi Arabia for the first time, having been hosted in Milan since its inception in 2017. Alongside the use of shorter sets, other rule modifications included reduced changeover times and a shorter shot clock for certain points, adding a unique flavor to the competition.
Medjedovic, under the guidance of his coach and Serbia Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki, had a noteworthy season, reaching tour-level semifinals in Gstaad and Astana while also clinching victories in three lower-level Challengers.
The defeated Fils, ranked 36th, had made waves earlier in the year by becoming the youngest Frenchman in nearly two decades to secure an ATP title at Lyon. The Next Gen Finals has a rich history of showcasing emerging talent, with previous champions including stars like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz. Medjedovic now adds his name to this esteemed list, poised for a promising future in the tennis world.
