For the first time since 2002, a calendar year will pass without any of the Big Three of men's tennis -Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer - winning a Grand Slam title.
Second seeded Djokovic, fresh off his first Olympic triumph, suffered a surprising third-round defeat to Alexei Popyrin at the U.S. Open. This loss not only ended his campaign at Flushing Meadows but also marked the first time since 2017 that the 24-time Grand Slam Champion finished a season without a major title.
With Federer now retired and Nadal struggling with recent injuries, including hip surgery, and Djokovic now 37, the future of men's tennis is uncertain as the Big Three era seems to be fading into the sunset.
Federer first set the benchmark with 20 titles. Nadal raised the bar to 22, and then Djokovic surpassed them both with 24. Together, the trio have won an astounding 66 Grand Slam titles, dominating men's tennis for nearly two decades.
Djokovic's year has been a rollercoaster. Despite early exits in other majors, he ended his long wait for a first Olympic gold in August 2024. However, the physical and mental toll of this achievement might have played a part in his U.S. Open performance, where he described his tennis as some of the worst he has ever played.
This year's U.S. Open has been a whirlwind of upsets. It's the first time since 2000 that two of the top three men's seeds were eliminated in the first week. Just a night before Djokovic’s exit, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was sent packing by the 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp. For a man who has been so dominant, winning at least one Grand Slam every year for over a decade, this could be a turning point.
But the big question remains: Is this the definitive end of the Big Three era? As we look ahead to the next season, one thing is clear - the landscape of men's tennis is changing. Who will be the next great champion to emerge and match the Big Three's legacy? Stay tuned to find out!
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