Serb Remains the Last Standing Big Four Star as Sinner, Alcaraz Lead the New Era
MADRID: With the retirements of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic is the last member of the legendary “Big Four” still on tour. But the 37-year-old says he’s not ready to fade into the background just yet.
“The last 20 years were dominated mostly by the four of us,” Djokovic said at the Madrid Open. “When three of my biggest rivals retired, you can feel there’s a shift.”
For Djokovic, this generational transition—marked by the rise of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz—represents both a challenge and a motivation. The 24-time Grand Slam champion believes his presence still adds value to the sport.
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Still Representing the “Older Guys”
Despite not capturing a major title in the last year, Djokovic remains a top contender. “I’m still trying to stay and represent the older generation,” he said. “Hopefully that brings a positive effect to the tournaments and to the tour itself.”
Djokovic won three out of four Grand Slams in 2023, but saw a dip in results as the younger stars made their move. Sinner and Alcaraz each took two of the sport’s biggest titles last season, firmly establishing themselves as the leaders of the next era.
Chasing 100 Career Titles
Currently sitting at 98 tour-level titles, Djokovic has set his sights on the milestone of 100 titles, a feat he hopes to achieve before the French Open begins on May 25.
“That’s also one of the reasons why I keep on playing,” he noted. “I feel like it also helps tennis still thrive on the attention and crowd coming in and watching tournaments and getting interested.”
Legacy and Service to the Sport
While he remains a giant in the game, Djokovic acknowledges that no player is bigger than tennis itself. “The sport should outlive everyone, the sport will outlive everyone, and it’s more important than anybody individually,” he said. “We’re all here in the service of the sport.”
As tennis undergoes a generational shift, Djokovic’s continued presence is both a nod to a golden era and a bridge to the future. For now, he remains the standard-bearer of a legendary chapter in tennis history—still flying the flag for the older guys, with plenty left to give.
Written by Arab News Sport
Categories: Tennis, Sports News, Player Interviews
Tags: Novak Djokovic 2025, Big Four retirement, generational change tennis, Djokovic Madrid Open, Sinner Alcaraz rivalry, tennis legends
