For years, countless stars deemed 'the next big thing' have mostly failed to compete in the 'Big Three' era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Challengers such as Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas were simply born in the wrong era.
But finally, it can be confirmed with conviction that the new changing of the guard is real.
The two players who have made that statement possible are Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who already hold six majors between them at only 23 and 21 years of age respectively.
The pair have split Grand Slam titles between them in 2024 with two apiece - the first time that has occurred since Djokovic and Nadal five years ago.
After Sinner's maiden triumph in New York against hometown hope Taylor Fritz, the Italian spoke about the rivalry between himself and Alcaraz for the foreseeable future.
"I will always have players who are going to make me a better player because there are going to be times where they beat me," he said. "Then you have to try to find a way how to win against certain players.
"...If you want to be a better player you always have to work, and you have to have these daily routines, accept difficult times on court. I feel it's good for the sport to have some new champions."
Sinner, the current world No.1, became the youngest player to win the Australian Open and US Open in the same calendar year in the 21st century, surpassing Federer and Djokovic.
For the first time since 2002, none of the 'Big Three' will win a Grand Slam - highlighting how dominant they have been in the past two decades, but it's also a sign that the golden era of men's tennis is fading.
With Federer's retirement, uncertainty around Nadal's future and Djokovic not getting any younger, the passing of the baton has materialised in the blink of an eye.
Alcaraz has already defeated Djokovic in two Grand Slam finals at the All England Club, and both the Spaniard and Sinner remain unbeaten in major finals (6-0) - demonstrating maturity well beyond their years and that they are primed for the grandest of stages.
"[It is] definitely the changing of the guard," former world No.4 Jelena Dokic said on Nine's coverage of the men's final on Monday.
"We're in for something very special and I think both of these men, both Alcaraz and Sinner, can at least be in the double digits (for grand slams won).
"I can't wait for next year, especially the Australian Open. I think it's going to be an incredible rivalry and I think it will push others as well to try and get up to their level. But at the moment, it's all Sinner and Alcaraz.
"Novak, outside of the Olympics, he really hasn't had a great year. Can he win another one?
"Well, no one beyond the age of 37 historically has been able to get their hands on a major trophy. That's the challenge for Novak. But you feel like his career is certainly not done."
Comments