For years the tennis world wondered and waited, waited and wondered…why aren’t any new young players stepping up to threaten and push out Djokovic, Nadal and Federer?
The NEXTGEN young star players were clogged and stagnated behind a sort of psychological fence which prohibited them from interfering with or interrupting the ATP royal elites.
Well finally the dam has broken and the wave of young lions are free to roam and ravage at last. And they are making a very loud statement while taking no prisoners.
20 year old Hugo Gaston destroyed Stan Wawrinka in five sets and now is locked 3-3 in a fifth set with Dominic Thiem.
19 year old Jannik Sinner ushered out Alexander Zverev in four sets to reach a quarterfinal date with Rafael Nadal.
Lorenzo Sonego is in a battle right now with Diego Schwartzman (the Italian just succumbed in three sets).
20 year old Sebastian Korda reached the fourth round where he lost today to Rafael Nadal 61 61 62.
22 year old Daniel Altmaier of Germany is into the fourth round vs. Pablo Carreno Busta.
Andre Rublev has reached the fourth round and will duel Marton Fucsovics.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will play Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round for a QF spot.
Big name players like Murray, Tsonga, Isner, Anderson, Kyrgios, Cilic, Coric, Tiafoe, Del Potro, Gasquet, Fritz, Nishikori, Monfils were not a factor in this tournament.
It’s possible this 2020 Roland Garros will be viewed later as the turning point transition moment where the NEXTGEN brigade finally asserted itself for the long-awaited, long overdue but inevitable ATP takeover.
Nadal, Thiem and Djokovic may have a dissenting opinion on the matter.
Altmaier · Gaston · Korda · NEXTGEN · Rublev
George · October 4, 2020 at 10:41 pm
I will be watching Nadal play Djokovic in the final, just like I did almost a decade ago.
Cory Minto · October 5, 2020 at 6:23 am
It’s sad how the “Big Four” became the “Big Three”… Murray altho the weakest of the big four, would have gone on to win plenty more 500s/1000s and perhaps slams… Mwith the heart of a lion. While he still arguably has plenty of tennis left in him at a high level, and he may win some additional tourneys, you can sense by watching that his best days are behind him.
As great as these 3-4 have been for basically 20 years makes it such an inopportune time to be a Dimitrov, Monfils, Tsonga, Berdych etc. These guys were not allowed even a sniff at the big cheeses. A block in time of utter dominance for what will be a quarter of a decade.
Scoop Malinowski · October 5, 2020 at 7:51 am
George that is the dream marquee final but I don’t think it will happen. Some very live dangerous underdogs on the loose.
Scoop Malinowski · October 5, 2020 at 7:58 am
Cory, these guys were allowed sniffs and bites at grand slam glory but they just couldn’t finish the job. Every era has these a close but no cigar club. Honorary members include Todd Martin corretja Rios nalbandian pioline schuettler puerta rusedski berdych Monfils Dimitrov Tsonga baghdatis.
George · October 5, 2020 at 8:27 am
Murray will be remembered as the weakest member of the big four; however, he did reach a number one ranking and won two Olympic Gold medals. Wawrinka also won three grand slams, but I believe Murray won many more Masters 1000 tournaments.
Good summary article: https://hubpages.com/sports/Tennis-Big-Four
Scoop Malinowski · October 5, 2020 at 9:41 am
Murray was definitely a great but like Rafter, Moya, Rios, Safin, Guga, Muster had short stints at no. 1, they were secondary figures in the Sampras Agassi era. Murray was a secondary figure in the Fed Rafa Djokovic era. This is not any kind of discredit or put down of Murray, we all loved seeing how he finally overcame all the heartbreaking losses to the big three and then he finally managed to invade and set his tent on the mountain top for a short while. Murray made the era even better as everyone loves to see the underdog upset the elites. Even though I have to admit his first Olympic win vs Federer and first US Open win vs Djokovic looked like they were gifts given to him. No elaboration, sorry.
Scoop Malinowski · October 5, 2020 at 10:26 am
INcredible doubles win yesterday by Tommy Paul and Nick Monroe beating Feli Lopez and Pablo Cuevas. Paul was the best player on the court, Monroe did his part. Incredible to see the spirit and enthusiasm by near 40 year olds Monroe and F Lo. Paul and Monroe won the first and let the second slip away, blowing the break lead. Paul was by far the best player, he made one reflex black back off a Cuevas slam in the match tiebreak that stunned everyone. F Lo was acting like he and Cuevas were elites playing with two clowns, he was in that bitchy arrogant mood, whining to this box and never looking face to face eye to eye with Cuevas. When it was all over, F Lo left the court in a huff by himself, he completely stranded Cuevas. My guess is they will never play together again. Great win by Nick Monroe and Tommy Paul. If you get a chance to see Paul play doubles watch him, he’s on fire right now. They are in the QF.
Scoop Malinowski · October 5, 2020 at 11:05 am
Just wrote these profile capsules of tennis greats. Check it out… https://goldenageoftennis.com/players/
Doug Day · October 12, 2020 at 8:34 pm
Fun to read capsules but hey,i thought Mercir was the Big Cat for his gliding, unhurried court movement.
Scoop Malinowski · October 12, 2020 at 8:41 pm
The Big Cat Mecir was a smooth mover. I didn’t know big cats move with a gliding, unhurried movement. My cat runs like Barry Sanders when it’s play time.
Doug Day · October 14, 2020 at 9:23 am
OK. Ill take smooth for unhurried mr. editor.
Scoop Malinowski · October 14, 2020 at 9:53 am
Doug, A cat would wish to move like Mecir )