“(Novak) Djokovic Is Wearing Himself Out but…,” Former WTA Pro Dishes Out Harsh Truth on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Taking On the Big 4

The 2024 season was a turning point in men’s tennis, as it marked the first time since 2002 that none of the iconic ‘Big 4’ — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray — won a Grand Slam title. This legendary quartet, who debuted between 1998 and 2005, has dominated tennis for over two decades, collecting a combined total of 69 Grand Slam titles. However, with Federer, Murray, and Nadal now retired or sidelined, Novak Djokovic remains the sole active member of this esteemed group. In a surprising twist, 2024 also saw Djokovic fail to win an ATP title for the first time since 2005. This begs the question: is the 37-year-old finally showing the effects of age?

On March 26, during an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Catherine Tanvier, a former Top 20 player from the 1980s, was asked about the future of tennis and the difficulty of replacing the ‘Big 4’ after their golden era.

“At one point, it bothered me,” Tanvier reflected. “We see Murray retiring due to injury, and Federer retiring due to injury. They weren’t pushed out by a younger generation,” she continued. But what about Djokovic?

Poll of the Day
Is the era of the ‘Big 4’ in men’s tennis truly over, or can Djokovic still dominate despite the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner?

• Yes, the ‘Big 4’ era is over
• No, Djokovic will continue to dominate
• Alcaraz and Sinner will take over
• It’s too soon to tell

Tanvier noted, “Djokovic is wearing himself out but isn’t being pushed out by younger generations. He was still a semi-finalist at the Australian Open, an Olympic champion in Paris, and won Grand Slams a year or two ago.” So, what about the so-called ‘Big 2’ — Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?

“After that, there are still some great players like Sinner and Alcaraz, who will hold the fort for a long time. It’s still good, but they haven’t pushed them out,” she concluded.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s Impact

Carlos Alcaraz (21) has already won four Grand Slam titles, while Jannik Sinner (23) has earned three. Their potential to dominate men’s tennis is clear, but according to their peer Thanasi Kokkinakis, “It’s fair to compare them to the Big 3. Accolades-wise, maybe not yet, but in terms of ability and talent, they are right up there.”

Mats Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, also believes both Sinner and Alcaraz are following in the “footsteps of the ‘Big 3’ in terms of level.” However, some, like Paul Annacone, former coach of Roger Federer, are cautious: “It’s going to be fun, but let’s not compare them to the Big Three yet.”

Even Carlos Alcaraz admits that the rivalry between Rafa, Federer, and Djokovic is unlikely to be replicated. “It’s nice to fight for great things, but to get to that level of rivalry is practically impossible to repeat,” he said.

Roger Federer’s View on the Future of Tennis

Roger Federer, who retired in 2022, once expressed his confidence in the future of tennis. “The game always creates superstars and great stories, so I never worried about the future,” he said. Reflecting on his own career, he noted that people had doubted the sport after the Sampras-Agassi era, but the ‘Big 4’ proved them wrong. “I know the future is incredibly bright, and we don’t need to worry about it,” Federer added.

The ‘Next Big Three’ According to Novak Djokovic

In November 2023, Novak Djokovic mentioned the players he thought would dominate tennis after him: “Carlos, Jannik, and Holger. They are the next big three, if you want to call them that. They are going to carry this sport,” Djokovic predicted. “I will keep going as long as I’m still winning the biggest titles. Once they start beating me consistently, I will reconsider my future in tennis.”

Andre Agassi echoed this sentiment, naming Alcaraz, Sinner, and Holger Rune as the potential successors to the ‘Big 3.’ Even Nadal remarked, “If we’ve done it, others can do it, and there are two players above the rest: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.”

Murray’s Take on Alcaraz and Sinner’s Grand Slam Prospects

Andy Murray believes both Sinner and Alcaraz will “win a number of majors each,” but doubts they will surpass the Grand Slam tally of the ‘Big 3.’ What do you think?