You cannot fight the future, and it seems like the total domination from the top 3 players that we have seen over the last decade is soon coming to an end. For those of us who grew up watching Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, we have been so lucky.
However, Federer has now retired. Nadal is struggling with injuries and is currently ranked #14 in the world. It appears that Novak Djokovic, who will be 36 years old next month, may be standing alone to fight back against Carlos Alcaraz and the rest of the young guns who are fast rising in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
Since 2003, the year Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam, these three superstars have won an astonishing 80% of the Grand Slams. Between them, they have won 64 out of 80 Grand Slam Tournaments since 2003.
Djokovic and Nadal have each won 22, including 10 at the Australian Open for Djokovic and 14 at the French Open for Nadal. Federer has won 20, including 8 at Wimbledon. They have each won every Grand Slam tournament at least once, and they hold the top three spots on the all-time Grand Slam champions list.
This “Era of the Big Three” has brought incredible success and attention to professional tennis and has elevated Djokovic, Federer and Nadal to celebrity status around the world and made them fabulously wealthy.
During their years of dominance, the Big Three were challenged by others, notably Andy Murray and Stan Wrarinka. But these challengers, which also included Juan Martin del Potro and Dominic Thiem, were plagued by injuries.
But now there is a new batch of young guns that grew up idolizing and learning from the Big Three who look destined for greatness. Carlos Alcaraz, who became the youngest #1 ranked player ever at only 19 years old has set extraordinary expectations.
Jannik Sinner, who recently beat Alcaraz at the Miami Open, has the experience, skill and work ethic to be atop the world rankings. Felix Auger Aliassime, the currently-ranked #7 player in the world, is an incredible athlete in peak physical condition. These are just a few of the next generations seeking to lead us into the next generation of tennis.
One thing is clear, in order to challenge the Big Three in the history books of tennis legends, these young challengers will have to continue to improve by focusing on their flexibility, mobility, technique, nutrition, and stamina.
They will also have to further develop their mental toughness so that they can withstand the pressure of competing week after week. Every future tennis player is bound to be compared to the Big Three, but there is only one way to greatness…to go for it!
