Generation change in tennis - Alcaraz as "Genie" - Definitive Wake-up Call in Tennis?
Carlos Alcaraz bid farewell as Champion of Wimbledon with a small dance, announcing his intention to reach the spheres of the biggest stars. Novak Djokovic pondered his Olympic chances. With the significant gap in the final, the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world came to an end with a clear sign that the time of the Big Three, of whom Djokovic was the last title contender, seems to be definitively winding down. Tennis is increasingly belonging to the new generation, with Alcaraz leading the way.
"With Roger Federer in retirement and Rafael Nadal on the verge of ending his career, Carlos Alcaraz dealt another blow to Novak Djokovic on Sunday", wrote the Spanish newspaper "AS": "And thus also to the spirit of the 'Big Three', who dominated world tennis in a tyrannical manner for almost two decades with the Swiss, the Spaniard, and the Serb." Now, at just 21 years and 70 days, Alcaraz has won four Grand Slam titles - surpassing the Big Three in terms of time.
The upcoming games in Paris, with Djokovic's (37) likely last chance for Olympic gold, Rafael Nadal's (38) probable last appearance on his favorite court, and Andy Murray's (37) likely last match before retirement could make the generational shift clear.
Djokovic, Nadal, Federer shaped tennis for two decades.
But the Wimbledon final did as well. "Wow! I love Djokovic, but is this perhaps the first time we can speak of a 'blooming'?!?!", commented the Australian Wimbledon finalist of 2021 and Djokovic's elite training partner, Nick Kyrgios, on the lopsided duel in London's finale.
For two decades, Djokovic (24 titles), Nadal (22), and the now-retired Roger Federer (20) shared Grand Slam titles predominantly among themselves. In 2024, the winners will be Alcaraz, who secured the Wimbledon title just a month after his French Open triumph, and Jannik Sinner, who won the Australian Open and reached the number one ranking. Djokovic has yet to win a title this year, neither on the ATP Tour nor at a Grand Slam.
Alcaraz: "I don't know where my limits lie"
The new generation takes over. "I think it's good for tennis when new faces win at the big things and compete for the major tournaments", said Alcaraz.
Regarding his goal of achieving a similar Grand Slam collection, Alcaraz left no doubts: "I have to keep going. At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big boys", said the Spaniard: "I don't know where my limits lie. We'll see if it's 25, 30, 15, or four at the end of my career."
The question will be who, besides Alcaraz, will have a say in the future Grand Slam battles. Is it permanently Sinner (22)? Or Daniil Medvedev (28)? Can Zverev (27), who is planning a start in Hamburg this week due to his knee injury, secure his first Grand Slam title? What will become of Holger Rune (21)?
Djokovic can still raise his game once his knee injury is healed. The age and experience advantage, often spoken of for Djokovic, seemed to be a burden this time in the final. "He played every shot better than me," Djokovic said: "He was better in every aspect of the game than me."
Stars taking leave at the Olympics
To have a chance at Olympic gold, one of his last unachieved goals, he will have to raise his game again. "We'll wait and see how I feel physically and mentally," Djokovic said: "I need everything I have and more to make it to the Olympics final." Normally adversities make him stronger.
In Paris, Djokovic, Nadal, and Murray will be reunited as three of the former "Big Four." Federer has already retired. For Murray, the Olympics could be one of Nadal's last major highlights of his career. The Spaniard returns this week in Bastad after his first-round loss at the French Open against Zverev with a very special generational encounter ahead. His Olympics trial begins against Leo Borg (21), son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg.
- The Wimbledon final marked a significant shift in tennis, signifying the end of the Big Three's dominance, with Novak Djokovic being the last title contender.
- Carlos Alcaraz's victory at Wimbledon and the French Open has surpassed the Big Three in terms of Grand Slam titles at a younger age.
- The upcoming Paris Games could further emphasize the generational change, with Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray likely to retire and Djokovic (37) contending for his last Olympic gold.
- For two decades, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer have shared the majority of Grand Slam titles, but their reign appears to be winding down.
- According to Nick Kyrgios, the Wimbledon final showed a 'blooming' in tennis, suggesting a new wave of talent emerging.
- Algarve and Jannik Sinner will likely dominate future Grand Slam tournaments, with Alcaraz securing the Wimbledon title and Sinner winning the Australian Open and reaching the number one ranking.
- Djokovic has yet to win a title this year, but he still has a chance to raise his game and contend for Olympic gold, despite his age and injury.
- In Paris, Djokovic, Nadal, and Murray will reunite as part of the former Big Four, with Andy Murray's Olympics possibly being one of Nadal's last major highlights of his career.
