The Big 3 era in tennis is witnessing a significant shift as Novak Djokovic recently fell out of the top 10 in the ATP rankings, marking the first time in 24 years that none of the three—Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal—are ranked among the top ten. With Federer and Nadal both retired, Djokovic remains the last active member of this iconic trio.
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Djokovic’s ranking drop coincides with Alexander Zverev’s recent victory at the US Open, where he defeated Ben Shelton in the final. This win marked Zverev's second Grand Slam title of the year, following his victory at Roland Garros.
Following the US Open, Ben Shelton reached a career-high ranking of No. 4. Despite his strong performance, he had to withdraw from the upcoming Laver Cup, citing undisclosed reasons. Shelton is expected to participate in the Davis Cup for the United States shortly thereafter.
Zverev's triumph at the US Open has sparked a mix of reactions within the tennis community. Critics have questioned his title win, with some labeling it as “mediocre,” while others, including Boris Becker, defended him against such critiques.
ABC reported that the men's final of the US Open garnered impressive ratings, averaging 3.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched final since the network gained broadcasting rights. The match was significant, featuring an American player in the championship round for the second time since 2006.
In the context of the upcoming tennis season, Djokovic will be looking to bounce back as he prepares for the China Open, where he aims to reclaim his standing in the sport.