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By Baseline Staff Apr 21, 2024

ATP releases NextGen behind-the-scenes documentary

Go inside the life of young players like Zverev, Kyrgios and Nish

Published Dec 08, 2016

The ATP officially launched its #NextGen Uncovered documentary, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life on tour with the sport’s brightest young stars.

The series features Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Karen Khachanov, Kyle Edmund, Yoshihito Nishioka, Taylor Fritz, Jared Donaldson and Duckhee Lee, with appearances from some familiar Top 10 faces.

Filming took place over three weeks during the Asia swing, where it became clear that the sport’s physical demands and constant travel are tough on these young players.

Nick Kyrgios explains why he has brought a fitness trainer on board for the first time.

“After the US Open, retiring injured there made me want to get someone on my team that would prevent those injuries from happening and become stronger as an athlete,” Kyrgios says. “I think that’s probably essential for me to take that next step in my career.”

Zverev is shown celebrating his first title win in St. Petersburg, and then struggling with the quick turnaround for his next tournament. Despite the challenges, the players all remain determined.

“The ranking is not as important as developing, at the moment,” Zverev says. “I’m still at a young age in my career where I have to learn a lot.”

According to Andy Murray, the group isn’t far behind.

"They’re tough guys to play against already, so you know in the next few years they’re going to be right up there at the top of the rankings," the world No. 1 says.

Part 2 of the documentary has also been released, focusing on Khachanov, Edmund and Zverev.

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Khachanov would end up winning his first ATP title in Chengdu, with the ATP cameras following him every step of the way.

"It's not like it came from the sky," he says. "I worked for this and I've got this week, this title."

And you'll want to see Part 3, which showcases Donaldson, Fritz, Kyrgios and Lee (who happens to be deaf).

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Fritz reveals a little known fun fact about the inner workings of the tour. For helping boost the tournaments by attending autograph sessions, kids' clinics, player parties and more, players are rewarded with points that they can accumulate to collect prizes. The 19-year-old has his eyes set on a massage chair.

Expect to see plenty more from the next generation of the ATP in 2017, where the Top 8 under-21 players will qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan.

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