For anyone who has ever played tennis, the world of tennis has been defined by its eras of dominance, and legend status, eternalized names. In fact, we have seen the unrivalled dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, affectionately called “The Big Three”. The tennis world can’t wait for the new trio to come in and defensibly carry the torches forward as these icons move on to the later stages of their respective careers. However, who are the next players to become the dominant forces in the sport?
The Changing Guard in Tennis
But the switch is also symbolic of a generational shift in tennis. Federer has retired and Nadal and Djokovic battle with age and injury, the light has been swung to emergent players which has enabled each to exhibit glimmers of class on the grandest of stages. From a charisma standpoint alone, these players are ready to take tennis into the next chapter. Unlike their predecessors, they exist in an era of versatility and a wider number of prospective competitors. This has put the weight of expectation on any new ‘Big Three’ to show they can ply their trade on all courts and cope with the physical and psychological requirements of the modern game. With tennis continuing to draw a global audience, 1xBet app India is a platform allowing fans to stay in touch with the sport and the players they love in an exciting and new way.
Carlos Alcaraz: The Prince of Clay and Beyond
Just 21, Carlos Alcaraz is letting it be known now he is a future all time great. Spain’s Alcaraz has been inevitably likened with countryman Rafael Nadal. Yet he has also demonstrated that his game is quite his own. With explosive speed, a powerful forehand and an astute tactical understanding way beyond his years, Alcaraz is rewriting the script of what a young champion looks like. The US Open title won at the age of 19, making Alcaraz the youngest men’s world No. 1 in ATP history, carried all that. Since then he has separated himself from his contemporaries by being so consistent on clay, and now hard courts. Alcaraz is certainly a strong contender to add to the new Big Three, with a level of pressure side that allows him to thrive and an endless work ethic.
Jannik Sinner: The Italian Prodigy
22 year old Jannik Sinner from Italy is another rising star who has delighted enough to be a future tennis giant. Always good in defence but underrated on the attack, his pinpoint accuracy, blistering groundstrokes and fantastic movement had more than sufficed to make this sinner’s game pay. His play is like Federer’s: Aggressive, but the calm demeanor and mental fortitude elicit Novak Djokovic comparisons.
After wins against top players, deep runs in Grand Slam tournaments and steady climbing in the rankings, Sinner has not looked back. He is one of very few players who can adapt himself to the different playing styles and different playing surfaces. Sinner does already have multiple ATP titles to his name, but is developing into a man of his word after that clutch half from nowhere overnight.
Holger Rune: The Nordic Sensation
On the ATP Tour Franke Watsons are rising star Holger Rune, a fiery and fearless competitor from Denmar, making waves. It’s not just that, and Rune has great shots selection, both strategically and tactically, which he has used well to his victories over other established stars. Rune is one of the most exciting young players to watch and you can see his confidence and his swagger on the court at 20 years old but it belies his age.
Rune’s biggest breakthrough came when he made the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and his first Masters 1000 title in Paris. His ruthless attitude and his knack of showing up for the big ones suggest that he is on for a big future. Rune has all the ingredients to be a future Grand Slam champion, a pillar of the next Big Three in tennis, he’s just getting better and better all the time.
What Sets Them Apart?
All helplessly facing similar styles of play, relentless drive, and ways to cope with the pressures of modern game, they are all entangled as the emerging Big Three, except for their styles of play. There’s Alcaraz’s explosiveness, Sinner’s precision and Rune’s fearlessness: That dynamic is fascinating, it could fill that craving for a proper grand slam winner, and also perhaps seal the next 10 in the game of tennis.
With completely different characters and some brutal rivalries, we are already hooked on what looks to be the start of a new golden era for the sport.
The Dilemma of succeeding in the Famously Large Shoes of someone else
This also means there’s an amazing opportunity. The work is cut out for Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have created a legacy that the new stars will struggle to live up to. And not only have to be great players, you have to create these lasting rivalries and you have to pile on these records, which are not going to be surpassed. There’s also Alcaraz, Sinner and Rune leading the charge seeing tennis fans glimpsing into a new era already. Whether they will be able to rule the way Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have done is hard to say, but they can make a dent in the top of the sport.
But these rising stars will be proven during the next season and beyond. Their enmities, their successes and their failures will continue as tennis evolves as they do throughout their respective careers. The tennis world will have to wait until the new Big Three try to write its own destiny.
