The new US Open champion joins Spaniard as dominant force in a new age of tennis, with players born in the 1990s now almost completely bypassed
As Jannik Sinner digested his first triumph at the US Open on Sunday, afternoon, his victory closed out the first year since 2002 in which none of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer has won a grand slam title, putting a new complexion on the sport. The “big three” era, once the focal point of men’s tennis, which in recent years has been held up solely by Djokovic’s excellence, is finished.
There was once a time when it seemed like there might be a period of uncertainty as the old greats finally disappeared into the night, a long transition as players fought to see how they would come out on top in a new era. Instead, Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have snatched the reins with stunning self-assurance. By splitting the four grand slam titles between them this year, they have positioned themselves as the two leading figures of men’s tennis.