Federer’s
2019 season ended with a semifinal loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas on
Saturday at the ATP Finals, having seen Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
eliminated in the group stage of the tournament this week.
Tsitsipas, a 21-year-old Greek who is playing at the ATP Finals for the
first time, is among a handful of up-and-coming talents looking to
finally end the unprecedented era of dominance by that trio. Other
youngsters at the season-ending tournament include defending champion
Alexander Zverev at 22 and U.S. Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev at 23.
However, it’s not
the first time that the 38-year-old Federer has faced talk about a
talented crop of youngsters, even though none of them have so far been
able to break the Big Three’s iron grip on the sport.
"It’s
the same question every year at the end of the year," Federer said
about the new generation. "But does it feel like this year might be the
best year yet? Possibly. But then I look at the list of who finished
World No. 1, who has been World No. 1 all these years, and it’s just
crazy that it’s always one of us. But we are not getting any younger. So
chances increase not because we are getting worse but because they are
getting better."
Nadal clinched his fifth year-end No. 1 title this week, putting him
level with both Federer and Djokovic. Since 2004, the only other person
to finish the year atop the rankings was Andy Murray in 2016.
In addition, the Big
Three have won the last 12 Grand Slam titles between them. And until
one of the youngsters ends that streak, any talk of a generation shift
is premature.
"Definitely
it’s that next step they need," Federer said. "The only issue is that
it seems like me, Novak, and Rafa are healthy, healthier than maybe in
previous years, as well."
Zverev, for his part, is convinced that the new guard is ready to compete for majors.
"I
think next year will bring a new Grand Slam champion. We’ll see who
that will be, because I think the young guys are playing incredible
tennis," Zverev said after losing to Dominic Thiem in the second
semifinal at the O2 Arena. "You know, it can be Daniil, it can be
Stefanos, it can be Dominic. I’m in the mix, as well, I hope. We’ll see
what next year brings. But I think for the young guys, it’s going to be
an exciting year."
The third-ranked Federer ends the year with four ATP titles, but failed
to add to his record haul of 20 Grand Slams when he lost an epic
Wimbledon final to Djokovic, despite holding two match points in the
fifth set.
He also fell short
of a record-extending seventh ATP Finals title after converting just one
of 12 break points against Tsitsipas, losing 6-3, 6-4.
As long as he stays healthy, though, Federer is confident he’s still good enough to compete for more majors next season.
"I’ve got to keep on playing at the level like I have this year, and
then I will create some chances," he said. "Then when the matches come,
it’s not maybe as easy as it was maybe 10, 15 years ago where you’re
just going to play very good, day in, day out. Opportunities were
there today. They were there in other moments as well this season,
maybe Indian Wells or Wimbledon or whatever. That can change an entire
season around, the confidence around, the flow of things. But I’m happy
how I played this season, and I’m extremely excited for next season."
Date: 18 November 2019, Source: AP
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