With Djokovic and Murray not in the picture, for the first time in 15 years the top two men's seeds have been dumped out of the Australian Open at the quarterfinal stage itself.
While this gives a great chance for Federer and Nadal to have a shot at yet another Grand Slam, think it's time for aficionados to start looking beyond the sport's Big Four.
With Novak's power on the wane, Murray getting increasingly inconsistent and Wawrinka getting past 30, it's time for the likes of Tsonga, Dimitrov, Raonic, Istomin, Nishikori, Monfils to take centre stage.
One was reminded of Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, the way Mischa Zverev covered the net and his aggressive style of play took Andy Murray completely by surprise. And his younger brother, Alexander, all of 19, nearly pushed Rafa out of the Open.
While this gives a great chance for Federer and Nadal to have a shot at yet another Grand Slam, think it's time for aficionados to start looking beyond the sport's Big Four.
With Novak's power on the wane, Murray getting increasingly inconsistent and Wawrinka getting past 30, it's time for the likes of Tsonga, Dimitrov, Raonic, Istomin, Nishikori, Monfils to take centre stage.
One was reminded of Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, the way Mischa Zverev covered the net and his aggressive style of play took Andy Murray completely by surprise. And his younger brother, Alexander, all of 19, nearly pushed Rafa out of the Open.
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| Alexander Zverev |
One thing is for sure though. Post Novak and Murray the men's Tennis world will not be dominated by a Top Four. There would be a Top Eight or a Top Ten. The quality on offer is indeed exciting and arresting.
Exciting times lie ahead for the sport!!!!!!!
Exciting times lie ahead for the sport!!!!!!!
Just saw the quarters.. The baton seems to be going backwards... what with Roger and Rafa turning back the clock and Stan being the favourite to win the Aussie Open now. Seems like the age of the over 30's here.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is too early to call the end of the Big 4.. One half of that is still in the running and there seems to be no one in sight to challenge that.
While the joker and the knight have fallen surprisingly early, I am not sure they are finished..
The next gen is still not where it should be.. Cant see anyone ready to win 7 matches in a row to lift a Slam and do that consistently Slam after Slam after Slam like Roger, Rafa and Novak have done.. We may just be heading into a period of utter boredom until the next great guy emerges! That may just be a very long wait!!