The Big Three of tennis are trying to prolong their reign at the top of men’s tennis in the wake of a growing challenge from their rivals, according to Novak Djokovic.
The world No.2 is part of a trio who has dominated the men’s tour along with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Between them, they have won 51 out of the past 59 grand slam tournaments and occupied the year-end top three positions for the last three seasons. They are also the richest tennis players in history in terms of prize money.
Whilst the contingent are still the dominant force, there have been glimmers of the next generation of players excelling. Dominic Thiem won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells when he defeated Federer in the final. More recently, 21-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed his biggest title yet at the ATP Finals.
“I think it’s a logical and a natural cycle. Roger, Rafa and I were saying that it’s going to happen that we’re going to be replaced in the top three spots and the new guys are going to start winning Slams,” Djokovic told reporters.
It is not the first year there has been talk about the Big Three potentially being dethroned from the tour. Similar conversations started after both Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev won the titles at the ATP Finals. However, there is a growing sense of belief that it will happen soon. Echoed earlier this year by world No.7 Alexander Zverev. The German is yet to go beyond a quarter-final at a grand slam.
“I think next year will bring a new Grand Slam champion. We’ll see who that will be because I think the young guys are playing incredible tennis.” Said Zverev.
“It can be Daniil (Medvedev), it can be Stefanos (Tsitsipas), it can be Dominic (Thiem). I’m in the mix, as well, I hope. We’ll see what next year brings. But I think for the young guys, it’s going to be an exciting year.”
Djokovic was 19 when he won his first piece of silverware on the ATP Tour and 20 when he won his first grand slam. Looking ahead of the new season, he acknowledges that the gap between him and the others are narrowing. Although for the foreseeable future, he remains very much the target and not the chaser.
“We’re trying to prolong that kind of change in men’s tennis, but it’s inevitable that it’s going to happen and each year they are coming closer and closer.” He said.
“Dominic Thiem played finals of Roland Garros back-to-back. Tsitsipas now won the year-end championships, Alexander Zverev won London the year before. They’re definitely out there challenging the best players in the world and they want to be the best players in the world and they will be, they will become eventually.”
“They are already established top-five, top-10 players and our task is that doesn’t happen very soon but it seems like it’s coming closer and closer.”
It is one of those next generation contenders who Djokovic will play in his opening match at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship this week. In the semi-finals he will lock horns with Tsitsipas. A player who he shares a 2-2 head-to-head record with.
Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record against the current top 10
- No.1 Rafael Nadal ESP- leads 28-26
- No.3 Roger Federer SWI – leads 26-23
- No.4 Dominic Thiem AUT – leads 6-4
- No.5 Daniil Medvedev RUS – leads 3-2
- No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas GRE – drawn at 2-2
- No.7 Alexander Zverev GER – leads 3-2
- No.8 Matteo Berrettini ITA – leads 1-0
- No.9 Roberto Bautista Agut ESP – leads 8-3
- No.10 Gael Monfils FRA – leads 15-0