On September 10, 2023, Novak Djokovic raised the US Open championship trophy. That was also the 24th Grand Slam title in the Serbian player's career. But he and the rest of the tennis world probably did not think that, for 33 months and 10 Grand Slam tournaments afterwards, victory would only belong to 2 names.
They are Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the 2 best young players in world men's tennis today. They are also the leading factors for the succession of the Big Three, the group of 3 great players of the first 2 decades of the 21st century, of which Djokovic is the survivor after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal retired respectively.
Accordingly, after Nole in 2023, the victories at the Grand Slam level are respectively Sinner (Australian Open 2024), Alcaraz (Roland Garros 2024 and Wimbledon 2024), Sinner (US Open 2024 and Australian Open 2025), Alcaraz (Roland Garros 2025), Sinner (Wimbledon 2025), Alcaraz (US Open 2025 and Australian Open 2026)...
The dominance of the Italian and Spanish players at Grand Slam tournaments seems to have no end, especially as every year, Djokovic's age increases and competitiveness decreases significantly. The proof is that since 2024, he has won 2, lost 3 in 5 encounters with Alcaraz, won 1, lost 4 against Sinner.
At the 2026 French Open, Alcaraz did not participate due to injury, Sinner is considered the number 1 candidate for the championship. The Mousquetaires Cup will help him complete the Career Grand Slam.
With 30 consecutive wins, 18 on clay, and victories in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, Sinner seems to be controlling the heat and high temperature.
However, there was a return of the ghost in the 3rd round match at the 2016 Australian Open - when he suffered a whole-body cramp and had difficulty moving against Eliot Spizzirri.
The same can also be said about his half-hearted withdrawal in the 2015 Cincinnati final after 5 sets against Alcaraz, and the shocking image when he suffered dizziness, vomiting and cramps in the 2016 Rome Masters 1000 semi-final against Daniil Medvedev.
Sinner's fatal weakness is heat, and at Roland Garros, it defeated him. The 24-year-old unexpectedly lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, at 991 days from Nole's US Open championship in 2023.
Therefore, as of next Sunday (June 7), when Roland Garros 2026 determines the champion, the Grand Slam also has a champion other than Sinner and Alcaraz after 1,001 days.
At this time, Djokovic can dream of his 25th Grand Slam title as a meaningful farewell!?
