Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been fighting each other for 15 years, forging the biggest rivalries of the Open Era and pushing each other to the limit. Since Wimbledon 2003, the fantastic trio have won 57 major titles and set many records that will never be broken.
Roger, Rafa and Novak are still among the best players and contenders in the world for the biggest titles, with Djokovic and Nadal sharing the ATP throne for the previous four years.
The Serbian and Spaniard took two of the top three titles in 2020 to improve their scores and finished within the top-2 for the third consecutive season. The young generation is trying everything to get Rafa and Novak away from the ATP throne and steal more Major trophies from their hands, fighting harder and harder and improving their qualifying positions.
Novak Djokovic praised the next generation and their effort.
Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev came close to Grannd Slam glory, while Dominic Thiem experienced it at last year’s US Open, beating Zverev in five exciting sets.
Speaking about the next generation and future top contenders, Novak Djokovic praised their efforts and ability to challenge the best players from the big scene. The Serbian mentioned Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Denis Shapovalov and Matteo Berrettini as some of the rivals who will fight for the most prestigious trophies in the future, and also said that the sport will remain in good hands once he, Rafa and Roger are withdraw.
At the start of the ATP Cup, Djokovic beat Denis Shapovalov 7-5, 7-5 after a close battle, scoring a break in the final stages of each set to clinch the first win of the season.
“It’s great for the sport that we have new Grand Slam champions. We have new successful young players showing courage and fearlessness, entering the biggest stadiums in the sport, ready to take on the greatest challenge by taking on Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and me, and fight for the biggest title.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Denis Shapovalov and Matteo Berrettini are some of them who have come very close. They have enormous potential and they still have a long time to go. You have a lot of players to look to, and I think the future of tennis is in good hands, without a doubt, “said Novak Djokovic.
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