Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic Are Approaching the Finish Line, Says Former French Open Finalist

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have dominated the sport of tennis for years now. Known as the ‘Big 3’, they have an impressive 59 Grand Slam victories between them.

However, with all three players well in their thirties, it may seem like their era is coming to an end. Former tennis player Alex Corretja shared his views on what the future holds for the ‘Big 3’.

Corretja believes the next generation of players are getting close to the ‘Big 3’

Since 2003, the ‘Big 3’ have had at least one Grand Slam victory in each year to date. In addition, the Big 3 took all four Grand Slams in eight of the last 18 years. While Federer and Nadal are tied at 20 Grand Slams, Djokovic chases his 20th at the ongoing Wimbledon Championships.

However, the new generation of players is stepping up their game, with Djokovic the only ‘Big 3’ player in the semifinals at Wimbledon. Hence, former World No. 2 Alex Corretja believes their dominance is fading.

Despite Djokovic’s Grand Slam victories in Australia and France earlier this year, the Spaniard believes the next generation is catching up.

He said,?“For me, we are closer to the relay because those below have already seen that they can. Although Novak has won in Australia, they are already beginning to realize that there are tournaments in which everything has been complicated and that was very difficult before.”?

(Quotes translated from Google)

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It will be difficult for the next-gen to take Novak Djokovic, Federer and Nadal’s place

The former French Open finalist believes the next generation of players has increased their level of performance. However, he believes there will be more than three players competing for top honors in the future.

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“There will be much more alternative than what we have seen so far with the Big 3,” said Corretja. “It will be very difficult for someone to consolidate. There are going to be ten or twelve players who will alternate between them.”

While Djokovic is the only ‘Big 3’ player in the semifinals at Wimbledon, he is on course towards completing a rare Golden Slam. Can the Serbian continue the ‘Big 3’ dominance this week at the iconic grass-court Grand Slam? Only time will tell.

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