What's so bizarre is that, from an actual playing level perspective, they have all regressed.
Zverev at Olympics/Cincy/Madrid/YEC last year was genuinely good, not just results good, I mean his FH was monstrous, held his nerve well, seemed to have a better grip on the DFs. He went DTL early and often with his BH and returned well… That level was not a myth.
Tsitsipas was excellent in Monte Carlo, split a pair of epics with Nadal (W AO, L Barcelona), and had a 61 GW% on clay last year. Fell off towards the end and had the elbow problem, but he was genuinely good on clay. That level was not a myth.
Medvedev we all saw, the crazy 22 match winstreak opening the year and the demolition of Tsits in the AO. Obviously he fell off after the crushing defeat vs. Nole but his US Open and Canada performances were genuinely good. He was in a serving zone, hitting huge off both wings, using opponents pace against them masterfully. The straight sets win was probably more due to Novak than Daniil but he destroyed everyone he saw in Flushing. I saw all 3 with my own eyes, they weren’t myths.
Obviously their level in 2021 didn’t stop Novak from nearly winning CYGS so we aren’t talking ATG level. but forget results. Just judging their play from the ground, energy, point construction & confidence were so much better.
It baffles me how these guys are somehow getting worse.