Tennis enthusiasts are buzzing as the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah are set to begin, with China's 19-year-old prodigy Shang Juncheng gearing up to face France's Luca Van Assche in tonight's opening match.

The excitement is palpable as Shang and the other seven finalists have arrived in Saudi Arabia, where they've seized the opportunity to relax aboard a yacht, enjoying a friendly swimming competition in the Red Sea before the tournament kicks off. For Shang, this event is about more than just competition.

"Being at the Next Gen ATP Finals means everything to me. Some of the best players have competed in this event, you know, when they were young, and it's something truly special. If you look at past champions, (Jannik) Sinner, (Carlos) Alcaraz—they've all played here. Not many players get to compete in this event. I've heard it's amazing, and I just can't wait to get there."