Novak Djokovic’s recent drop from No. 5 to No. 12 in the ATP rankings signifies the end of an era in men’s tennis, as reported by Associated Press. This marks the first time since October 2002 that none of the sport’s legendary “Big Three”—Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal—are in the top 10.
The 39-year-old Serbian’s decline in the rankings followed a surprising first-round exit at the U.S. Open, where he was defeated by Mariano Navone. This loss not only ended Djokovic’s tournament run but also his streak of being a top-10 player, a status he has held for much of his career.
With Djokovic now out of the top 10, it means that neither he, Federer, who retired in 2022, nor Nadal, who ended his career in 2024, are currently ranked among the world’s elite players. This marks a significant shift in men’s tennis, ending a remarkable dominance that lasted nearly 25 years.
The last time the ATP rankings did not feature any of the Big Three was in October 2002, when Lleyton Hewitt was the world No. 1. The generational shift is underscored by the emergence of Hewitt’s son, Cruz, who is now making his way in professional tennis.
Djokovic’s defeat at the U.S. Open was particularly notable as it was his earliest exit from a Grand Slam in two decades, reminiscent of his first-round loss at the 2006 Australian Open. Reflecting on his career, Djokovic expressed pride in his past achievements but acknowledged that the present is a different chapter.
The Big Three have collectively dominated men’s tennis for over two decades. Federer first entered the top 10 in 2002 and maintained his position until the end of 2016, including a record 237 consecutive weeks as world No. 1. Nadal broke into the top 10 in 2005 and held his place for an astonishing 912 consecutive weeks until 2023. Djokovic joined the top 10 in 2007 and has spent a record 428 weeks as the world No. 1.
This transition in the sport is led by a new generation of players, including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev, who currently occupy the top three spots in the rankings. U.S. Open runner-up Ben Shelton has also made significant strides, climbing to a career-high No. 4.
Despite the emergence of these young talents, injuries have impacted both Alcaraz and Sinner this season. Alcaraz missed the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, while Sinner withdrew from the U.S. Open with a knee issue. Zverev, however, has had a strong year, winning both the French Open and U.S. Open, while also finishing as a runner-up at Wimbledon.
On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina ascended to world No. 1 after her victory at the U.S. Open, ending Aryna Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.
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