Huge question hangs over men's tennis' next generation as Novak Djokovic slump brings retirement into focus
Men's tennis' new reality is being ushered in with the last of the 'big four', Novak Djokovic, in what is becoming a prolonged slump that could end in retirement within the next 12 months.
After a second consecutive first round exit, the Serbian's departure seems imminent and fans are asking who will be the next superstars to dominate a sport that has experienced a 20-year period that may never be rivalled.
Roger Federer retired in 2022 and Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray followed in 2024, meaning that Djokovic is the last of the legends competing on the tour.
READ MORE: Cherry-Evans replacement locked in as Manly land star
READ MORE: Slater 'not against' major transfer overhaul amid Galvin saga
READ MORE: FIA boss considers backflip on rule that infuriated drivers
He fell to Matteo Arnaldi in a straight sets defeat during the Madrid Open and has not won a title since his gold medal completed an astonishing 'Golden Slam' at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
When asked about his desire to continue after being trounced by the Italian, Djokovic candidly admitted that the Madrid Open may be one of the last tournaments he enters on clay.
A dejected Novak Djokovic reacts during his loss to Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. Getty
"It could be, it could be," Djokovic said.
"I'm not sure if I will come back. So, I don't know, I don't know what to say.
"I mean, I'll come back, maybe not as a player. I hope it's not, but it could be.
"That's the circle of life and the career, eventually it was going to happen.
"[Competing] became a bit more challenging for me, to be honest. But of course I'll do my best for the future."
Arnaldi won 6-3, 6-4, and halted Djokovic in his search to join the 100-ATP titles club.
And the possibility of that elusive achievement is slipping further away from his grip.
The Serbian has lost four finals since his last victory in Paris and has been out of form in recent competition in an eight month slump, with his decline possibly accelerated by injury at this year's Australian Open.
The changing of the guard in men's tennis has been fast approaching with the new generation clamouring to stake a claim among the game's elite.
Both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are widely considered to be in a two-man battle for the No.1 ranking over the next decade, with the Italian enjoying a purple patch by winning three of the past five majors, while the Spaniard has won four since breaking through for his first grand slam title in 2022.
Jannik Sinner of Italy (left) and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain (right) pose for a photo together ahead of their Men's Singles Final match on day three of the Six Kings Slam. Getty
Both born after the turn of the century, Sinner and Alcaraz already have 37 ATP titles between them.
Sinner will play his first game back after his three-month ban for testing positive for accidental contamination with a WADA-banned substance at the Italian Open.
After the two, competition is fierce for the top positions in the men's game with Australian Alex de Minaur putting up a passionate fight in the clay season.
The Aussie reached the semi-final in Monte Carlo and the quarters in Barcelona, being able to start his Madrid Open campaign on a high after dismantling Lorenzo Sonego in the first round.
Djokovic will be watching the Spanish tournament from the sideline for the second time in a month and while he does, he may find himself pondering the rise of the latest two young guns to throw their hat into the ring to join a future 'Big Four' with 19-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik flying after clinching his first ATP 1000 event in Miami last month, and Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca continuing to impress, without having yet quite broken through for a big tournament victory.
Will they form the next super elite of men's tennis to fight for majors over the next decade? Only time will tell, but it's increasingly clear Djokovic's days are numbered.
