Roger Federer is convinced men’s tennis will see a new Grand Slam champion next year other than himself, Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.
Federer’s last Grand Slam title came at the 2018 Australian Open, with Nadal and Djokovic sharing the previous seven major trophies between them.
Over the past two years there has been plenty of talk about the younger generation and whether they have the talent to be able to compete against the ‘Big Three’.
In Grand Slams they had previously struggled to live up to expectations, although Daniil Medvedev broke the mould with a strong performance against Nadal in the US Open final.
The Russian took the world No 1 to five sets, before succumbing to the 33-year-old.
Then at the ATP Finals last week was when the younger guys on tour really stole the stage from the big stars.
Dominic Thiem record wins over Federer and Djokovic on his way to the final while Alexander Zverev brushed aside Nadal in the opening round.
Ultimately it was Stefanos Tsitsipas who walked away with the trophy after a thrilling final against Thiem.
And Federer, who is currently touring North and South America as part of an exhibition tour in five countries, believes 2020 could be the year one of the young guys finally breaks through at a Grand Slam.
“I stayed very close in Wimbledon and I want to win it again, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see new champions there,” he told Argentina tabloid Clarin.
“I have some rivalries and maybe it will happen again with this generation.
“Maybe next year they will take control and it would be great because tennis would be in good hands.
“If Nadal, Djokovic and I don’t take care of ourselves, there are chances that they will surprise us everywhere.”
Their first chance will be at the Australian Open, where Stan Wawrinka [2014] is the only man to have won other than Nadal, Federer or Djokovic since 2005.
