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Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerlan wait to go on stage during the ATP Heritage Celebration at The Waldorf=Astoria on in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerlan wait to go on stage during the ATP Heritage Celebration at The Waldorf=Astoria on in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
World No.1 Novak Djokovic failed to accomplish the Calendar Slam at the US Open 2021. Facing Daniil Medvedev in the finals, the Serbian suffered a humiliating defeat- that also ended his 27-match winning streak at the Grand Slams this year. The final scoreline of the match was 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
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After Novak Djokovic’s loss, one thing is quite certain that the G.O.A.T debate is not over yet. Even though the 2021 season saw Djoker winning three Grand Slam titles, he along with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have 20 Grand Slams each right now. In such a situation, the numbers don’t really tell who is the greatest player of all time.
While Federer recently touched 40, both Nadal and Djokovic are in their mid-thirties and can still play for four 3-4 more years. Thus, they have a good chance of winning at least 2-3 more majors.
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The race to 21 will resume next season 👀 pic.twitter.com/go0Edqr1qG
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 13, 2021
It will be intriguing to see what happens in the 2022 tennis season. While Federer only has a chance at the Wimbledon Championships, especially after his third knee surgery, one can’t simply rule out Nadal from the French Open just after a single shocking loss this year. Similarly, World No.1 Nole is still the ‘King of Melbourne’ and will have good chance even in New York next year.
Therefore, the Grand Slam race will help the fans figure out the G.O.A.T debate much more clearly at the end of the next season. As of now, they hope that all three of them remain fit and fine and play every major in 2022.
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Will the next-gen superstars finally start dominating over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer?
There is another scenario that is quite possible in men’s tennis. What fans just witnessed at the US Open 2021 might just be the dawn of a new era in the sport where the young stars like Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, and Dominic Thiem start outperforming the ‘Big Three’.
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Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal attend a ceremony for Carlos Moya’s retirement. The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
If this remains the case, there might be a chance that the Grand Slam tally actually remains the same even at the end of the 2022 tennis season. However, in order to achieve that, these next-gens have to play consistently well on tour just like the ‘Big Three’.
While Medvedev has established himself as a really good player on hard-courts, Tsitsipas can be a threat on clay. Zverev too has won a couple of Masters this year and even has an Olympic Gold against his name. Thus, it won’t be stunning if each of these players pick momentum from here and there is a shift of guard soon.
As of now, one will hope to watch Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic at the Australian Open 2022. Who will end his career with the most number of Grand Slam titles?
