Toni Nadal has named six players he believes are ready to challenge the ‘Big Three’ of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for Grand Slams in 2020.
The decorated trio have dominated the majors, winning 51 of the past 59 and the last 12 tournaments dating back to the US Open in 2016.
But there is a growing belief that next year could see a breakthrough at the Grand Slams by some of the young generation.
And that feeling was increased when 21-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Dominic Thiem to win the ATP Finals on Sunday.
It is the biggest title of the Greek star’s career and comes 12 months after winning the NextGen trophy.
Thiem has reached back-to-back French Open finals and is arguably the second best clay-court player behind Nadal.
While Daniil Medvedev reached the six finals in a row as he blasted his way through the summer hard court season.
Despite the improvement, winning seven five-set matches over two weeks at Grand Slam level remains a task that few current players outside of the ‘Big Three’ have completed.
But Toni believes the new crop of players are well placed to finally make their mark.
He said: “Now we have a good generation. We’ve not had this for a long time, but now there are replacements.
“Tsitsipas, [Alexander] Zverev, [Matteo] Berrettini, Thiem or Medvedev, there are great players like [Denis] Shapovalov.
“It was time because Federer is 38 years old and Rafa is 33.
“Next year they will be 39 and 34 and Djokovic 33. There have to be replacements. Those big players don’t run anymore like they used to. So it is the right time.
“It is more a matter of who wants it more, who is willing to compromise more.
“This person will have more options. In the end, the differences are small.
“Sometimes a good attitude can make the difference. I don’t now who it will be.”
