FOR the better part of two decades, the conversation in men’s tennis began and ended with three names: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Together, they redefined greatness, pushing each other to staggering heights and locking down the Grand Slam titles year after year. Fans and commentators alike spent years asking the same question: when will they finally be toppled? As season after season passed, with the status quo unchanged, it began to feel as though the Big Three would hold on forever.
But that time has finally passed. The era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic is officially over. While Djokovic continues to compete at a very high level, continuing to fly the flag for the old guard, he is no longer the immovable force at the majors that he once was. His brilliance still flashes through – most notably when he claimed Olympic gold in Paris last year, taking down Alcaraz in the shorter best-of-three format – but the evidence is overwhelming. Over the last two seasons, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have risen to the top of the game, not just by winning titles, but by monopolising the biggest stages.
Of the past eight Grand Slam tournaments, every single one has been won by either Alcaraz or Sinner. Not only that, but the last three finals have been contested between the two of them. At the business end of a major, it is no longer a question of whether Djokovic will be standing in the way, but rather which one of these two young stars will emerge with the trophy. The Grand Slams have become their own private rivalry.
Djokovic himself has admitted as much. After falling in another semifinal at the recent US Open, he conceded that the younger men are playing at an incredibly high level, and that best-of-five sets presents him with an almost insurmountable challenge. At 38 years of age, despite his extraordinary commitment to fitness and preparation, he cannot outrun the reality of time. Recovery is slower, fatigue accumulates more quickly, and the body no longer bounces back with the ease it once did. Over two grinding weeks at a major, the edge inevitably shifts to the younger players, who are in the physical prime of their careers.
Djokovic remains good enough to beat either player on a given day. In shorter formats, he is still dangerous, still capable of producing the quality and tenacity that made him one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen. But when it comes to winning seven matches over a fortnight, with two of them likely to be against Sinner and Alcaraz, the challenge has become too great. It is a reality that every athlete that competes long enough must face. Even the very best must eventually yield to father time.
At their peak, the Big Three were unstoppable. Seasons went by where it seemed unimaginable that anyone else could break through to win a major. Between them, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic won a mind-boggling 66 of 78 (85 per cent) majors played from Wimbledon 2003 through to the 2023 Australian Open. But since Djokovic’s last Slam title at the 2023 US Open, Alcaraz and Sinner have claimed every major trophy. The passing of the torch is complete.
The era of the Big Two has begun, and their rivalry looks set to become one of the biggest and best the game has ever seen. Reminiscent of the early days of the Federer-Nadal rivalry, each time they meet on the biggest stages, they test one another’s limits and elevate their level. Both are young, multiple major champions, on a trajectory that could see them challenge for a place among the all-time greats. Will we see a third player disrupt the duopoly the way Djokovic crashed the Federer-Nadal party? Only time will tell. For now, the rest of the field is chasing shadows.
The Big Three era has officially ended, but don’t despair, for a new and prosperous chapter has begun. Those, including myself, who feared that the end of this golden era would signal a major downturn in interest in men’s tennis, couldn’t have asked for a smoother changing of the guard. The US Open broadcaster reported an astonishing 82pc increase in viewership of this year’s men’s final compared to 2024, making it the most popular final in ten years. The future is bright, and it is no longer waiting at the gates, it has taken centre stage.
Coach’s Tip: Pace yourself
An important lesson from the pros is how they manage their energy over the course of a long match. Too often club players try to play every point at maximum intensity, only to find themselves exhausted halfway through. Instead, learn when to go for more and when to play a steadier ball. Not all points are the same – a 40-0 point on your opponent’s serve shouldn’t command the same level of energy as a 0-40 point which could have the potential to change the course of a set.
On hot days, make a conscious effort to use changeovers to rehydrate and reset, and don’t be afraid to play with margin early in a set while you find your rhythm. Pacing yourself doesn’t mean holding back – it means having enough left to finish strong when it really matters. See you on the court!
Dan Barrie is the tennis director at Bahrain Tennis Academy and is a Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) elite professional. Connect with him via Instagram @bahrain_tennis_academy.
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