Will tennis rise or fall after Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic retire? Indeed, it is the longest-running and most-debated question in tennis. And while it has had all kinds of answers, curiosity and worry still run deep inside the fans. However, Austrian Dominic Thiem, once considered the player to take over the big three mantle, has now reflected on the big question.

More importantly, the 2020 US Open champion revealed the role of Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and himself and h after the departure of the big three. Thiem also explained the importance and aura Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have created in tennis.

“What is unique about them, especially about the three, is that they already spray such an era of legends. You not only have to defeat them playfully but also defeat their legendary status,” Thiem told Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos on his podcast.

(Quotes translated via Google).

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Dominic Thiem on the role of tennis players after Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic retires

Notably, the era of the big three has dominated the sport for almost two decades. Moreover, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have combinedly won 60 Grand Slam titles out of the last 75 major tournaments. Hence, Thiem admitted that the worry is valid; however, he also provided the solution.

“The danger is a little there,” Thiem highlighted. “At least half of the tennis fans are fans of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.”

Accordingly, the Austrian’s idea is to win the hearts of those fans with tennis skills. Not build their own but carry on the foundation that Fed, Rafa, and Nole have created.

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“That is exactly our job now,” Thiem continued. “We play so well and follow in their footsteps so well that the people who are now playing tennis mainly because of the three – Follow the sport, stick with it, and that we bind their fans to us, so to speak.”

Conclusively, Thiem stated that Medvedev, Zverev, and Tsitsipas are already on that path. He also sang high praises for the upcoming generation of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

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When will Thiem return to the tennis tour?

Fortunately, Thiem has begun his tennis training after five months of recovering from his wrist injury. Also, he announced that he would start his 2022 season in Abu Dhabi, gearing up for the Australian Open.

In the coming years, the answer to the big question might become cloudless. Let’s see if the tennis players can forge a following in the hearts of fans until then.

Are you confident about tennis’s future following the big three exits?

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