Rise of the old guard yet again. Should the ATP be slightly concerned for the future?

[sportsfan1]

There will be a gradual phase out. Federer first, then nadal. Murray Djokovic have a few more years. That gives another 3-4 years for the next gen to step up, either because someone really good rises up, or the big 4 fade gradually.

The bigger problem is all the star power lies with fedal, and there's a big gap after that. Thiem and zverev look like potential candidates but they have got to make deep runs in slams. Thiems loss to berdych today was the kind of match that the big 4 were winning at that stage of their careers.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Zverev and Coric haven't even made slam QF's at this stage. How on earth will they "run the show"? I feel like it's more likely we'll get some surprise newcomers coming through the ranks.

I feel like Djokovic will be running the show with the occassional slam win for Zverev, Coric and co. I think when the Djoker finally returns to form he will have a final two year run left in him.

 

[Gary Duane]

I could be dead tomorrow so I don't give a moment's thought to the "future" of tennis. I enjoy what I have when I have it. And don't think about 'what ifs' or 'might have beens.'

Either way, the simple fact is . . . it is not a teenagers' tour anymore. Period. For the time being (and maybe for a long time), those days are over.

A realist!!!

 

[accidental]

What's worse is that it's not like the 'young guns' are losing to the big 4 at every event

They're losing to second tier players. Zverev lost to Roanic. Thiem lost to Berdych.

Medvedev beat Wawrinka, but then lost to rubens Bemelmans in the next round

Pouille lost to Jerzy Jankwicz and Kyrgios lost to Hughes-Herbert lmao

 

[killerboi2]

Well of course it should be. When Nadal, Djoko and Fed are done, the viewing levels are going to fall. And WTA should be concerend as well because once ATP viewership goes down, that will hurt WTA too.

 

[Terry Tibbs]

You can throw Wawrinka into the mix as well. Aged 32 and a multiple slam winner in recent years. The answer is simple. These older guys are still too good for the upcoming young guys. They will just have to wait for them to retire to get their slams.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

I think ATP has been concerned for a wile already.

 

[sportmac]

I think ATP has been concerned for a wile already.

Agree. If any of the lost/next gen had stepped up it wouldn't be an issue. Instead we have a Next Gen tournament.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Agree. If any of the lost/next gen had stepped up it wouldn't be an issue. Instead we have a Next Gen tournament.

Yeah, its pretty evident.