Everything changes with time. Now, young players are trying hard to rule the professional circuit as many tennis legends move into the limelight of their careers. The bigger picture of the sport is also constantly changing with time. However, there is a huge uncertainty in the tennis world: whether the sport will survive without the legends who have immensely increased the popularity of the sport in the past two decades.
There is a huge debate about whether young tennis players picking up the sport will be able to maintain the enthusiasm among fans.
Fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief
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Tennis Updates, a Twitter account that posts tennis news on a regular basis, recently released an article on how the Indian Wells tournament’s attendance was almost at record levels, with 441,983 spectators in attendance.
Despite the absence of two tennis legends Williams and Federer, who have both retired from the sport and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who are currently ineligible for the tournament, the BNP Paribas Open still managed to attract a significant number of spectators, with all the credit going to the younger generation for stepping up.
In the post, the caption painted a hopeful future picture of the sport. It read, “Federer and Serena are retired. Rafa and Novak didn’t play. Indian Wells still got almost 442K fans, which was near the record. Tennis will be just fine without the GOATs.”
Federer and Serena are retired.
Rafa and Novak didn't play.Indian Wells still got almost 442K fans, which was near the record. Tennis will be just fine without the GOATs. pic.twitter.com/c5Xf2nPPmx
— Tennis Updates (@TennisUpdates23) March 21, 2023
Further, even tennis fans appreciated the younger generation’s contribution and filled the comment section with their positive words. Here are some comments.
When Rafa said no player is bigger than a sport (when asked about Novak not part of a tournament, so many anti fans trolled him)
He said even if we retired tennis will be watched as a great sport.— Now United fan (@Iamswathi3) March 21, 2023
Much as I am told I was lucky to live through the ‘golden age of tennis’, in reality it made tournaments very predictable and early rounds seem pointless.
The added level of competition and unpredictability is great.
— Richard Livings (@want_away) March 21, 2023
Well, it's time to new generation like Alcaraz, Zverev, Swiatek, Rybakina, Sabalenka and Rublev to shine and gain more attention
— Adhi Rizky Putra (@Adhirizkyputra) March 21, 2023
Additionally, a few days ago, Williams’ former coach also pointed out how Djokovic and Nadal’s dominance in the sport is nearing its end. And at the same time, talked about how the next generation coming into the sport will be ready to take over their dominance.
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Serena Williams’ former coach once showed faith in the new generation
Patrick Mouratoglou was among the first tennis players to point out how the young generation, with time, will take over the responsibilities of the legends, who are set to leave the sport, sooner rather than later.
WATCH THIS STORY – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Others In The Greatest Comebacks in Tennis
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The French tennis coach took to his Twitter account to share the worst-case scenario. Focusing and talking about how the Big three were also not loved from day one, and how they had to fight to make a name for themselves in the sport.
Who do you think will become the next ‘Big Three’ or the next Serena Williams? Let us know in the comments.
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