Djokovic Falls to 12th in Rankings, Ending Big Three's Presence in Top 10 since 2002

Djokovic’s decline follows his surprising early exit from the U.S. Open, where he lost in the first round to Mariano Navone, marking his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades. He acknowledged his sense of pride in his past achievements but stated, "now is now."

Federer and Nadal both retired in recent years, with Federer stepping away in 2022 at age 41 and Nadal retiring in 2024 at 38. In 2002, Lleyton Hewitt was ranked No. 1, and now his son, 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt, is rising in the professional ranks.

Djokovic holds a record 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing Nadal's 22 and Federer’s 20. Over their respective careers, Federer remained in the top 10 from 2002 until 2016, holding the No. 1 position for a record 237 weeks, while Nadal entered the top 10 in 2005 and stayed for a record 912 consecutive weeks until 2023. Djokovic was the last of the trio to join the top 10 in 2007, reaching No. 1 for a total of 428 weeks.

The current landscape of men's tennis is facing challenges, as top players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have both missed major tournaments due to injuries this year. Alcaraz has indicated a need to take more breaks in future seasons, raising questions about the new generation's longevity compared to the Big Three.

This year has shown a shift in dynamics among the top players, with Alexander Zverev performing consistently, winning the French Open and U.S. Open, and losing in the Wimbledon final. After winning the U.S. Open, Zverev noted, "If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead." Current rankings see Sinner, Zverev, and Alcaraz at the top.

On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina’s victory at the Australian Open and U.S. Open has propelled her to No. 1, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week reign at the top. Sabalenka acknowledged Rybakina's powerful serve and strong performance on the U.S. Open courts as key to her success.