World number one Novak Djokovic said this week that tennis’s “big four” — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and himself — were still the favourites to win Grand Slam titles in 2019.
Despite a combination of age, injury and the long-held prediction of a new generation of stars about to burst through, Djokovic insisted the four veterans remained the players to beat.
“I think if we are healthy and playing well, the four guys still have probably the best chance to always win slams,” said Djokovic in Doha before playing in his season opener, the Qatar Open.
Djokovic is the favourite to dominate in 2019, having finished last season so strongly, overcoming an injury-hit start to the year to claim the Wimbledon and US Open titles.
The 31-year-old also rose from world number 22 to number one, becoming the oldest player ever to finish the year as the highest-ranked player in the world.
His rivals, especially Nadal and Murray, are still battling to get back to full fitness, increasing the chances that the Serbian could add to his 14 Grand Slam titles.
One more major win and he will overtake Pete Sampras to become third on the all-time list of Grand Slam winners. Only Federer (20) and Nadal (17) have more.
Since and including 2010, the big four have won 32 Grand Slams between them. Djokovic tops that list: 13 of his titles were attained in the current decade.
Another of those who might challenge the usual suspects is Austria’s Dominic Thiem.
The world number eight admitted it was time for the next generation to step up.
“All the guys who won slams in previous years are on tour, so it will be very tough,” Thiem said.