Big Three -> Big Two -> Big One?

While Roger Federer's retirement in the fall of 2022 marked the official end of the "Big Three" era, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have shown little intention of passing the torch to the next generation. After Nadal dominated the first half of 2022, winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros in emphatic fashion, 2023 has been Djokovic’s year – at least at the majors. In the absence of Nadal, who underwent hip surgery and is currently fighting for yet another comeback, Djokovic won three out of four Grand Slam tournaments this year, bringing his tally to 24 – two more more than Nadal.

Sunday's US Open final was yet another show of dominance by Djokovic, who beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to claim his historic 24th Grand Slam title. With Federer retired and growing doubts over Nadal's ability to return to full strength, it currently looks like Carlos Alcaraz is the biggest, if not the only threat to Djokovic's dominance at the majors. As this chart illustrates, the "Big Three" have won 66 of the past 81 Grand Slam tournaments, dating back all the way to 2003. There has never been an era in tennis during which three players have dominated the sport in the way that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have over the past two decades. And while the "Big Three" no longer exist, Djokovic looks determined to keep that dominance alive. He now won 7 of the past 12 Grand Slam tournaments, which is even more impressive when you consider that he missed two of the ones he didn't win due to his Covid vaccination status.