2024 is the end of an era. Andy Murrays retirement during the summer and Rafael Nadals decision to quit tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga have definitely closed a piece of tennis history. Roger Federer had already retired from the 2022 Laver Cup, ahead of his rivals being the oldest in this group.
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In 2025, only Novak Djokovic will be able to keep the name of the Big 3 high on the professional tour. The Serbian legend is still motivated and hungry to win the most important titles, but even for a player of his caliber it is becoming increasingly difficult to hold on to certain rhythms.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade has not won an ATP title this year and his season would be considered a failure if he did not win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The former world number 1 reached the final at the Wimbledon Championships, but was literally crushed by Carlos Alcaraz on the iconic Centre Court.
Novak also had to undergo knee surgery during the spring due to an injury he suffered at the French Open. His body is still fine, but the gap with Carlitos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner seems to have increased in recent months. The Italian ace has defeated Nole in the last three matches, not to mention the recent victory at an exhibitioncalled 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia.
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Three sacred monsters
The Big 3 have broken many records over the last two decades, creating an absolutely iconic rivalry that has transcended tennis. At the same time, these three champions prevented many players from winning what they would have deserved for their talent. A few years ago Roger Federer hung the racket on the nail. In a month, Rafael Nadal will do the same, closing an important chapter in the history of this sport. The only survivor of the Big 3 is Novak Djokovic, who is slowly slowing his performance and could close for the first time in his career since 2006 to zero ATP titles.
These champions have put their best foot forward in the Slam, the most difficult and prestigious tournaments on the circuit. Together they have collected 46 Majors (22 for Spanish, 24 for Serbian). Casper Ruud, who played 2 finals and lost as many, gave in to the last act against them.
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The Norwegian ace had a very interesting thought about their incredible performance when it came to playing such important matches: "The two finals I played, against Rafa in 2022 and against Novak in 2023, I thought: 'Could it be harder... Can we find more motivated players in the history of the game?' You understand that they will probably stay on the field until death. They dont want to lose, especially when Novak is trying to win his 23rd Grand Slam. You know it will close and that you can be 5-1, 40-0 in the first set and probably win it one way or another," he said, in an interview with Nothing Majors. On the Spaniard, he said: Against Nadal, with his foot injury, I was quite optimistic. I arrived with confidence. I wasnt too nervous, a little bit, but I didnt feel the pressure, but the game started and I got a break in the first game, thats all", he concluded.
The GOAT debate
Three polarizing figures like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have been sparking the GOAT debate among fans around the world for years. It is not easy to give a certain answer to this question, because there are too many factors to consider in order to establish the greatest ever.
In a recent interview, top coach Patrick Mouratoglou opened up on the GOAT debate: I think they are all, the three are so unique. Any of the three I would have liked for sure; if I had to pick one I would I pick Novak. I said this several years ago, I think hes gonna become the greatest, when he had only 15 Grand Slams. I mean only, sorry its a lot, but compared to what he has now.
They are the three best players of all time, so to work with one of them is something so special, but if I had to pick one, I would pick Novak because I always thought he would become the greatest. First because he would play longer, his body is healthier than the two others body. And I feel that his motivation to become the greatest was so huge. And if you looked at how many Grand Slams per year Djokovic was winning, I thought at some point he was gonna become the greatest, and he did it.
