JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Hamad Medjedovic upset top-seeded Arthur Fils 3-4 (6/8), 4-1, 4-2, 3-4 (9/11), 4-1 to win the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah on Saturday.
At No. 110 in the world, Medjedovic became the lowest-ranked champion in the six-year history of the 21-and-under tournament as well as the first Serbian to lift the Next Gen Finals trophy.
Having gone undefeated through the group stage before storming to the title, Medjedovic has received $514,000 for winning the event, which is nearly $100,000 higher than his entire career prize money earnings.
His triumph comes just two weeks after his mentor and compatriot Novak Djokovic lifted a record seventh ATP Finals trophy in Turin.
“It’s a nice thing obviously. The two of us from Serbia, he’s winning the big Masters I would say, the real one, and I’m winning the Next Gen, obviously it’s a huge thing and I’m really happy to follow his footsteps in some way,” said Medjedovic, who threw himself to the ground in disbelief after converting his third championship point.
“It was a very special feeling. I couldn’t believe it, I still don’t believe it. It’s going to give me for sure a lot of confidence for 2024. Obviously Arthur is an amazing player. Rankings-wise he’s much better than me, he’s top-40 for a reason, he’s very good. I’m just really happy.”
