There is a lot of talk about the era of the Big 3 in tennis — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic — coming to an end.
This year’s US Open marks the first Grand Slam since 2003 without any of the Big 3 making it to the Quarterfinals.
Federer is 41 years old, Nadal is 36, and Djokovic is 35. Compare that with the 4 US Open semifinalists — Carlos Alcaraz is 19, Casper Ruud is 23, Frances Tiafoe is 24, and Karen Khachanov is 26.
Plenty of other young guns are knocking on the door as well, including quarterfinalists Jannik Sinner (21) Andre Rublev (24). It certainly seems like the youth movement is taking over.
I say not so fast.
Yes, Roger Federer’s best tennis days are in the past. He is recovering from another knee surgery and although he’s scheduled to return to the tour, it is unlikely he will be able to win again at the highest levels. His best shot would be at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won a record 8 times.
But Djokovic and Nadal are another story.
Of the 3 Grand Slams that have been completed this year, Nadal won the first 2 (Australian Open and French Open) and Djokovic won the other (Wimbledon).
Nadal has 35 wins and only 4 losses this year, including 4 titles. Djokovic is 23–5 with 2…
