‘Me, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are reinventing the Next Gen,’ says Novak Djokovic

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic interview

The so-called Next Gen “is coming”, but the Big Three are still winning the biggest titles in tennis, says Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian, along with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have dominated tennis the past two decades, sharing 58 Grand Slams between them since Federer won his maiden major in 2003.

It’s a ‘long shot’, but Novak Djokovic feels he has a ‘good chance to go all the way’ at Roland Garros

They have also dominated the ATP Masters 1000 titles while Andy Murray has been the only player to get a look in at the world No 1 spot outside of the Big Three.

Djokovic and Nadal played in the Italian Open final on Sunday with the latter winning a three-hour titanic battle with the Spaniard coming out on top.

During the presentation ceremony, Djokovic said: “The Next Gen young people? Me, Rafa (Nadal) and Roger (Federer) are reinventing the Next Gen. We are the Next Gen.

“Rafa is one of the biggest rivals I’ve had in my career, every time it’s a struggle, today almost three hours,” said Djokovic, an 18-time Grand Slam title winner.

He added in the press-conference: “I mean, I said it thousand times. I don’t know how many times people want me to repeat it.

“Of course the Next Gen is there, is coming, whatever. But here we are still winning the biggest tournaments and Slams.

“I don’t know what to tell you other than that. I’m not focused on the Next Gen even though I know people, you know, it creates a story.

“People like to talk about it. Fine. The guys are there. They are already establishing themselves in the top 5, top 10 of the world. Nothing new. But we are still there.”

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Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal Roger Federer

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