The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Editorial Topic : Open season

Context:

New Order in Tennis: The era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic dominating men’s tennis is giving way to a new generation.

Introduction:

Past Dominance: Over the last two decades, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic were dominant forces in men’s tennis, with few upsets in Grand Slam tournaments.
Shift in Power: Recent results suggest a changing landscape in men’s tennis.

Impact of Alcaraz and Djokovic’s Exits at the US Open:

Unexpected Exits: Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s defeats in the US Open were shocking, occurring within a 24-hour span.
Alcaraz’s Profile: Ranked World No.3, a four-time Major champion, and a strong title contender.
Djokovic’s Profile: Ranked World No.2, defending US Open champion, with a record 24 Grand Slam titles.
Possible Reasons: Both players experienced physically and emotionally draining summers.
- Alcaraz’s Achievements: Won the French Open-Wimbledon double and earned a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
- Djokovic’s Challenges: Underwent knee surgery in June, but quickly returned to reach the Wimbledon final and won gold at the Paris Olympics.

Implications for the Future of Tennis:

Djokovic’s Loss: His third-round exit at the US Open could signify a major shift in world tennis.
- Historical Context: Last early exit in a Major was in the 2017 Australian Open.
- 2024 Season: For the first time since 2002, there may be no Slam winner from Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic in 2024.
Jannik Sinner’s Opportunity:
- Potential to Lead: World No.1 Jannik Sinner could solidify the new order by adding the US Open to his Australian Open title in 2024.
- Sinner’s Challenge: Despite testing positive for a prohibited substance twice in March, Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing.
- Significance: Sinner’s success would mark the beginning of a new era in tennis, transitioning from the dominance of the Big Three.

Way Forward:

New Era Dawning: 2024 could see the end of an era and the rise of a new generation of tennis stars like Sinner.
Challenges Ahead: Sinner’s potential match against 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev will be a critical test, as he aims to establish himself as the new face of tennis.

Conclusion:

Sinner’s Calm Resolve: At 23, Sinner has shown resilience, overcoming challenges in early rounds of the US Open.
Billie Jean King’s Wisdom: The pressure of these high-stakes matches is a privilege, and true champions, like Sinner, adjust and thrive under it.
Legacy in the Making: Sinner stands at the cusp of greatness, ready to step out from the shadows of the Big Three and forge his own legacy in the tennis world.