Frances Tiafoe believes “anyone can win Grand Slams” in tennis now that the Big 3 era is over
Novak Djokovic is almost at the twilight of his career, while Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal retired in 2022 and 2024, respectively.
Follow Us
Frances Tiafoe, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter/Swiss)
The 2024 season revealed that the ATP Tour has moved past the era of the Big 3 Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. The trio had dominated the tour for over 20 years, winning titles and breaking records. Frances Tiafoe believes that since two of the Big 3 have retired every player now has equal opportunity to win Grand Slams.
Djokovic was stunned by Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open in the second round. It was the Serbian consecutive loss on clay after he had been defeated by Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo. The 37-year-old is currently in the twilight of his career and has been outplayed by several young players this season.
Nonetheless, Djokovic’s rivals, Federer and Nadal, have retired from the sport. The former hung his rackets at the 2022 Laver Cup in London, while the latter had his farewell at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last November. With their dominance over, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have taken over but are yet to be consistent like the Big 3.
Tiafoe believes that the tour is now open to any player who has a desire to win. The American added that the Grand Slams and Masters 1000 titles can be won by any player in the men’s circuit.
I think the level is very similar, anybody can clip anybody on a given day. I think it’s exciting times. Tennis reminds me of, right now, from 2000 to 2004 or 2005. It’s a window. Anybody can win Slams. Anybody can win tournaments like this. We’re going to have, probably every Masters (season), there’ll probably be eight, nine winners. I’m pretty sure.
Frances Tiafoe said via Tennis Uptodate
Last season, Alexei Popyrin claimed his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open, despite being ranked World No.63 then. Also, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed one Masters title each in 2024.
Frances Tiafoe says no player fears Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
In January, Jannik Sinner claimed the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne. The second Grand Slam will be at the French Open, in which Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion. Both players claimed two major titles each last year and look to be doing the same again this year. But Frances Tiafoe believes that the two stars are no longer feared again and will not win all four Slams this season.
Maybe Alcaraz and Sinner will probably get two or three. But it’s an open game. I don’t think anyone fears anyone. No one’s that much better than anyone, except Sinner and Alcaraz. I respect those two. But I think everybody else, if they’re not playing well, they can lose.
Frances Tiafoe said
Sinner is currently under suspension, which will end on May 4, which is just three days before the Italian Open. The World No.1 is eligible to compete at the French Open. Meanwhile, Alcaraz is currently injured and he’s hoping to be back before the clay Grand Slam.
Frances Tiafoe into the Round of 16 of the Madrid Open
Frances Tiafoe earned his place in his first ATP Masters 1000 round of 16 this season after comfortably beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3 at the Madrid Open. The American produced a comprehensive performance to also earn back-to-back wins for the second time this season to reach the Madrid last 16 for the first time in six years.
Tiafoe defeated Luciano Darderi in his opening match in Madrid. He will now face Matteo Arnaldi in the fourth round for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition. Arnaldi ousted Djokovic in the second round and has shown great promise on the clay court. It will be their second meeting on Tour with the Americans leading 1-0 in their head-to-head record.
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)