A number of “rule changes and innovations” will be trialled during a new tennis tournament established to showcase the best male players under the age of 21.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) will announce the changes in “due course”, with a view to “ensuring continued growth in popularity” of men’s professional tennis.

“This event will act as a launch pad for tennis innovation as we bid to make our sport more attractive to the changing consumer habits of the next generation of fans,” said ATP chair and president Chris Kermode.

Milan’s Fiera Milano stadium will stage the Next Gen ATP Finals between 7 and 11 November 2017, with the tournament remaining in the city until 2021.

Up-and-coming players from around the world will begin a ‘Race of Milan’ in January, in which the best young players will compete to reach the showcase.

Seven of the top players will qualify automatically, with one wildcard place reserved for the eighth competitor. The event will award US$1.25m (£1m, €1.2m) in prize money.

Kermode said the competition will “provide a platform for the stars of the future to showcase their talents on a global stage”.

Italian Tennis Federation president Angelo Binaghi said: “The ATP has shown its long-term vision: to promote the next generation is to ensure the continued success of tennis in years ahead.”