MELBOURNE, Australia — The landscape of men’s tennis has shifted dramatically, marked by the retirement of Rafael Nadal, leaving Novak Djokovic as the last standing member of the legendary Big Three, which also included the now-retired Roger Federer. With the Australian Open kicking off this weekend, this major tournament begins without two of its defining stars, following Nadal’s final match in November at the Davis Cup.
Nadal’s retirement at 38 years old has changed the dynamics of the sport, especially for younger players. Francisco Cerúndolo, a 26-year-old Argentinian player ranked in the top 20, expressed nostalgia for the era dominated by these icons. He remarked on the overwhelming emotions of having watched them rise to stardom and now competing against them. “It’s tough for us. We grew up watching all of them. We saw them winning all the events,” he stated.
Djokovic, who boasts an impressive record with 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles earned at Melbourne Park since his debut in 2005, is excited to start his quest for an 11th title and 25th overall. He is scheduled to play against 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, who recently made waves by announcing his decision to turn professional after stepping away from Stanford University.
“The place where I had the greatest Grand Slam success,” Djokovic referred to Australia, reminiscing about his lengthy relationship with the tournament. He faces a notable change this year as he is being coached by former rival Andy Murray, who hung up his racket last summer after an illustrious career filled with three major titles. “We thought we’d give it a go and see if I can help,” Murray stated, recognizing Djokovic’s place not only in tennis but in the broader athletic world.
This year in Melbourne, the 37-year-old Djokovic also finds comfort in having his family by his side, a change from previous years. Basavareddy, who has been a long-time admirer of Djokovic, shared that he has looked up to the Serbian champion since he was about six or seven years old, absorbing lessons from watching his matches.
With some young players opting to idolize Federer or Nadal, time is ticking away for the legends of tennis. The inevitable retirement of Djokovic will come, yet fans and players alike are hopeful it won’t be in the immediate future. Though Djokovic faced challenges last season, including a knee surgery that hindered his performance, he ultimately captured his first Olympic singles gold medal, a significant victory in his storied career.
Djokovic’s 2024 season was cut short after he decided to skip the ATP Finals, focusing instead on preparing for the new season alongside Murray. Questions loom about his future in the sport and how many more titles he could chase as he embarks on this new phase.
“It was a sad moment when Roger went, because the injuries had a lot to do with it. And Rafa also struggled with injuries,” noted Wesley Koolhof, a former player who retired last year. “Nole is still quite fit, I have to say. You know it’s going to happen at one point that all the legends are going to retire. Nole is still going strong. Who knows how many years he has left in him?”
Among fellow competitors, Djokovic remains a formidable force. Alexander Zverev, a two-time major finalist, maintained that Djokovic is still among the best players on the circuit. Carlos Alcaraz, who recently topped Djokovic in the Wimbledon finals, acknowledged, “If he goes to Australia … hungry, he is going to be one of the favorites to win.”
The emergence of a new tennis era seems imminent; however, for now, Novak Djokovic stands as a testament to enduring excellence, challenging the narrative of transition in men’s tennis. As the Australian Open unfolds, all eyes will undoubtedly be on him and the formidable spirit he brings to the court.
