The Big Three of tennis - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer seen together during an event. (Getty Images)
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic are three names who have dominated men’s Tennis for decades – the Big 3 of the Tennis World
Have you ever wondered how different the scenario would have been in men’s tennis in the absence of the Big 3? Given the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic over the years, it’s hard to imagine men’s tennis without them. However, let us take a look at how the graphic looks without the Big 3.
Since Federer won the first of his 20 major titles at Wimbledon in 2003 he, Djokovic and Nadal have claimed an utterly-staggering 63 of the 76 major tournaments played. So, one can argue that tennis’ golden age has also been one of hard luck for a crop of brilliant players who, at any other time in history, would likely be finishing their careers with many more majors.
Only Andy Murray (3) and Stan Wawrinka (3) have managed to join the Big 3 in winning multiple majors since Federer won his first.
In a tennis World without the Big 3, Murray emerges as the clear head of the remaining pack and could have, in theory, added another whopping 14 slams to his tally and finished clear of Pete Sampras (14) on the all-time list.
Wawrinka’s achievement of banking three majors in this era is perhaps underappreciated and in an another world, he’d likely be pushing all-time great status.
The rest of the players who have made it to the list can also be seen in the Instagram post.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev remained at No 1 for the eighth week as the latest ATP rankings came out on Monday, which saw Novak Djokovic drop to No 7 despite winning his seventh Wimbledon and 21st Grand Slam title on Sunday.
The rest of the top 10 includes Stefanos Tsitsipas (+1 to No 4), Casper Ruud (+1 to No 5), Carlos Alcaraz (+1 to No 6), Djokovic (-4 to No 7), Rublev (No 8), Felix Auger-Aliassime (No 9) and Jannik Sinner (+3 to No.10).
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, who is expected to return at the Laver Cup in September and also play in Basel in October, has dropped out of the rankings after his quarter-final points from last year dropped off on Monday. This is the first time since October 1999 that the Swiss is ranked outside the top 100.
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