Djokovic expects new generation to threaten 'big four'

NovakDjokovic

Along with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, world number one Djokovic is part of an established elite that has dominated the ATP Tour for the last decade or so.

Incredibly, that foursome have shared 36 of the last 39 grand-slam titles, and this year's US Open final between Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori represented the first time for over nine years that none of Djokovic, Federer or Nadal have featured in the showpiece of one of tennis' four most prestigious tournaments.

Wimbledon champion Djokovic once again ended the year at the top of the world rankings, with Federer close behind in second.

However, the Serbian feels Cilic's victory in New York - coupled with Stanislas Wawrinka's success at the 2014 Australian Open - indicates that himself, Federer, Nadal and Murray have their work cut out to keep themselves at the pinnacle of the sport.

Speaking after making his singles debut at the International Premier Tennis League against Federer in Delhi, Djokovic said: "It's really unpredictable - it's hard to say who are the clear favourites to win the grand slams.

"Obviously, Cilic, Wawrinka and some new names who have been winning grand-slam titles and challenging the best and winning against the best in the big events - they have proven to everybody that it is possible.

"The dominance of first of all Roger and Rafa over the years was fantastic. 

"Then Andy Murray and myself, we got into the mix and us four have been winning most of the big events in the last six, seven, eight years.

"Now it's normal to expect that there is a new generation of players, younger players that are right at the top like Nishikori, [Milos] Raonic [and Grigor] Dimitrov, who have the quality to win against the best and they have done that.

"It's definitely going to be an interesting year."

 

 

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