The Big Three have shared out the last 12 Grand Slams among themselves, but Thiem predicts the run will end this year

by AFP/ pic by AFP

PARIS • Tennis royalty occupy the top three places in the first ATP rankings of the new season, with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer once again leading the way in the men’s game.

World No 4 Dominic Thiem (picture) is one of a new generation of players looking to topple the Big Three, with the Austrian saying last Thursday that he expected a new player to emerge as a Grand Slam winner in 2020.

“I think we challenged them already a lot. We also beat them especially on Masters 1000 stages and the ATP Finals,” said Thiem, who was runner-up to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the ATP Finals in London in November.

The Big Three have shared out the last 12 Grand Slams among themselves, but Thiem predicts the run will end this year.

“I think the last stage we have to conquer is the Grand Slam stage, and I really think we’ll see a new Grand Slam champion.”

Nadal and Djokovic secured two Grand Slams each last year, with the Spaniard securing end-of year top spot in the ATP rankings at November’s ATP finals when Djokovic failed to reach the semi-finals.

The pair got off to winning starts with straight sets wins at the ATP Cup on Saturday as the Australian Open homes into view.