Can Novak Djokovic hold off the charge of the ‘Next Gen’?

The World No.1 has successfully recovered from the US Open final defeat with the title at the Paris Masters. But the challenge from the likes of Medvedev, Zverev, Berrettini and Tsitsipas is real. For how long can the Serb fly the 'Big Three' flag high?

Daniil Medvedev’s stunning triumph over Novak Djokovic in the US Open final is an important marker in the recent history of men’s tennis. It was the first instance of a member from tennis’ ‘Next Gen’ shedding the big-match nerves and outclassing a bona fide legend of the sport in ruthless fashion.

Dominic Thiem, when he won the 2020 US Open, may have been the first to break through, and deservedly so. But he didn’t have to beat any of the ‘Big Three’ – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Djokovic.

More than anything, the visceral thrill of a young, fledgling competitor putting it across a great has its own allure and it is for this very reason Juan Martin del Potro vanquishing both Nadal and Federer en route the 2009 US Open title still inspires awe.