Overview
- On Dec. 10, world No. 19 Jakub Mensik pulled out of the Jeddah U21 event due to physical issues and will prioritize off‑season training.
- The tournament’s official page confirmed Justin Engel as Mensik’s replacement, securing the German’s spot in the eight‑player lineup.
- Engel, 18, rose to prominence with a Stuttgart quarterfinal run as the youngest player to reach that stage at the event in four decades.
- With Mensik out and Joao Fonseca already withdrawn, multiple outlets describe this year’s field as the weakest since the competition began in 2017.
- The Next Gen ATP Finals remain scheduled for Dec. 17–21 in Jeddah, and reporting indicates the event will relocate after this edition.