The long 21-year run of the “Fabulous Three” of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer has finally come to an end as the four Grand Slam titles in 2024 were shared equally by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Since 2003, at least one among the legendary trio won a minimum of one Grand Slam in a calendar year.
On eight occasions none outside the terrific three were able to lay their hands on a single Grand Slam trophy in a season, and on nine instances this special club were responsible for claiming three of the four majors.
Such has been their sheer dominance on the tennis circuit.
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The “Fab 3” lost one-third of its prestigious club in 2022 when Swiss master Federer called it a day with 20 Grand Slams, while it is only a matter of time before Spanish great Nadal, winner of 22 majors, does the same due to frequent injuries after decades on the tour.
Serbian superstar Djokovic, stranded on 24 Slams, is thus effectively the last remaining competitive representative of the elite club.
Age though seems to be catching up with Djokovic as well.
Although not as injury-plagued as the 38-year old Nadal, the Serb, 37, has not been immune to illness this year, “only” reaching the one Grand Slam final at Wimbledon where he lost to Alcaraz in straight sets.
The Djoker did bag the Olympic singles gold in Paris to complete his trophy cabinet but he too perhaps will admit 2024 was a far cry from all the previous years when he was a relentless winning machine.
With that said, with endless determination still in his reserves, the Belgrade native is not yet ready to walk into the sunset.
A recent example of his steely resolve was on display following the 2024 Wimbledon last 16 victory over Denmark’s Holger Rune when he addressed some heckling fans during his on-court reaction.
“Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks, I know how it works. I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me - you guys can't touch me,” he said.
Changing of the guard
The year 2024 in a way saw a changing of the guard with Italian power-hitter Sinner clinching the Australian Open and US Open and tenacious Spaniard Alcaraz bagging the French Open and Wimbledon.
And however much Djokovic provides opposition should he decide to play on in the next few years, young guns Sinner and Alcaraz are here to stay and will take some stopping.
Nadal’s heir apparent Alcaraz, 21, already has four Grand Slams to his name and his coach, former Roland Garros champion Juan Carlos Ferrero reckons his disciple will have chances to win as many as 30.
Modest, muscular and fiercely private of his personal life – all characteristics of Nadal – Alcaraz also has the same desire and hunger as his predecessor – hallmarks of a great champion in the making.
With his big-hitting, the beanpole Sinner, in contrast, reminds of a young Djokovic in his heydays and has two Grand Slams to his credit.
Whilst Alcaraz secured his first major at 19, less than two years after his Grand Slam debut, Sinner took a slightly longer route, notching his maiden major at 22, four years following his Grand Slam bow.
And with the latest US Open triumph, the Italian sealed his first two Grand Slam titles in the same season, a record that was even beyond the reach of the “Fab 3” and American legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
In their pursuit of continued tennis excellence, Alcaraz and Sinner will face stiff challenges from the likes of 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, among many others, not least Djokovic, and will do well to come close to the numbers of the “Fab 3”, let alone crossing them.