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Stefanos Tsitsipas Australian Open 2022

Stefanos Tsitsipas predicts the future of tennis post-Federer, Nadal and Djokovic


Stefanos Tsitsipas believes there will be a “top six or a top eight” competing for Grand Slams in the era after Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The ‘Big Three’ of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have dominated tennis for almost two decades but there are a number of young players who have been tipped to follow in their illustrious footsteps.

Some of these names include Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem just to name a few.

Of these four, only Medvedev and Thiem have won Grand Slam titles with both coming at the US Open. World number two Medvedev overcame Djokovic to win last years edition, whilst Thiem beat Zverev to claim the 2020 title.

Although the 2022 season has just started, player such as Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime have put their hat in the ring to challenge for future major competitions after enjoying excellent Australian Open campaigns.

Some of Tsitsipas’ contemporaries have also famously struggled more on grass and clay courts than hard courts, whilst Tsitsipas has remained consistent on all. This is supported by Tsitsipas having reached the second week of Majors across all three surfaces.

Speaking ahead of the Rotterdam Open, Tsitsipas said “how do I see the future of tennis? I didn’t know I am a prophet,” he quipped.

“I see the future of tennis having a top six or a top eight. Top eight guys competing for Grand Slams titles.”

“I see a lot of hype and evolutions in sense of concept and rebrand of our sport.”

When talking about his own game, the Greek number one said “I think I’m able to play on all surfaces.

“I don’t want [to be] the one that can play good only on one surface.

“I’m capable of playing equally well on all of them and produce points on all surfaces ATP offers during the season.”

The rebrand Tsitsipas is likely referring to could be the recently announced docuseries produced by Netflix, in which the Greek is set to feature in.

Tsitsipas, Medvedev and Zverev have all previously said they are “excited” to see the show and predict it will introduce tennis to a new and younger audience.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.