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For the first time in nearly a quarter century, men’s professional tennis has entered a new era. Following Novak Djokovic’s drop from fifth to twelfth in Monday’s rankings, none of the sport’s legendary “Big Three” — Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal — now occupy positions in the top ten. This marks a historic milestone not seen since October 2002, when George W. Bush held the presidency and the Euro had just begun circulation.
Djokovic’s recent struggles culminated in a shocking first-round loss at the U.S. Open to Mariano Navone, representing his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades. The 39-year-old Serbian champion, who holds 24 major titles, acknowledged the shifting landscape after his defeat in New York. Meanwhile, Federer retired in 2022 at age 41, and Nadal concluded his career in 2024 at age 38, leaving Djokovic as the sole remaining competitor from the dominant trio that shaped modern tennis.
The changing guard is reflected in current rankings, where Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Carlos Alcaraz lead the men’s tour. Zverev’s impressive 2026 season — highlighted by victories at the French Open and U.S. Open — propelled Ben Shelton into the top five following his runner-up finish in New York. On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina claimed the top ranking after defeating Aryna Sabalenka at the U.S. Open, capturing her second Grand Slam of the year and ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at number one.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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