There have been many ‘altering of the guard’ false dawns in males’s tennis.
Each time it appeared a younger scorching shot was about to grab management, the ‘Large Three’ hit again.
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – all genuinely iconic gamers – reigned supreme between 2003-2023, claiming an astonishing 66 grand slam titles from 81 tournaments.
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Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. Getty
Lastly, after 20 years of gluttony, it seems time for Technology Subsequent.
Jannik Sinner (Australian Open and US Open) and Carlos Alcaraz (Roland-Garros and Wimbledon) cut up the 4 trophies in 2024, the primary time in 22 years that one of many ‘Large Three’ didn’t style grand slam success.
Federer is lengthy retired, Nadal’s physique is crying ‘sufficient’ whereas Djokovic needed to ‘settle’ for an Olympic gold medal this yr.
Djokovic was shocked within the US Open third spherical by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin.
“So undoubtedly the altering of the guard,” Jelena Dokic stated on 9’s protection of the Sinner vs Taylor Fritz ultimate on Monday.
“We’re in for one thing very particular and I feel each of those males, each Alcaraz and Sinner, can at the very least be within the double digits (for grand slams gained).
Jannik Sinner of Italy consoles Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. Getty
“I can not look ahead to subsequent yr, particularly the Australian Open. I feel it will be an unimaginable rivalry and I feel it is going to push others as properly to attempt to stand up to their stage.
“However for the time being, it is all Sinner and Alcaraz. Novak, exterior of the Olympics, he actually hasn’t had an ideal yr. Can he win one other one?
“Effectively, no-one past the age of 37, traditionally, has been in a position to get their fingers on a serious trophy. That is the problem for Novak Djokovic. However you’re feeling like his profession is definitely not completely carried out.”
It needs to be famous that Alcaraz, 21, and Sinner, 23, have had the benefit of avoiding the ‘Large Three’ of their primes.
However they’re each delivering when it issues most, but to lose in a grand slam ultimate (Alcaraz 4-0, Sinner 2-0).
Males born within the Nineteen Nineties are in distinction 2-19 in title deciders because the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem persistently knocked on the door however have been unable to stroll by way of.
The final time the 4 majors have been gained by gamers aged 23 and underneath was method again in 1993.
Sinner, in the meantime, grew to become the primary man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first two grand slam trophies in the identical yr.
“So many large wins for me this season,” Sinner stated after Monday’s (AEST) emphatic straight units victory over Fritz.
“However the work by no means stops.”
