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With last Sunday's victory at Flushing Meadows, ATP number 2 Daniil Medvedev became the second player born in the 1990s to win a Grand Slam trophy. The success, which came as a surprise in just three sets against the season's ruler, Novak Djokovic, prevented the Serbian champion from winning all four Major titles in the same year (an event that hasn't happened since 1969, when he succeeded the legendary Rod Laver).
In a new interview, Australian Todd Woodbridge, former world No. 1 in doubles and holder of 16 Grand Slam titles, ruled: "Things will be very different from now on, the trend in world tennis has changed with this triumph. I don't think Djokovic is going into a total crisis that will prevent him from achieving more wins, but it will be much more difficult for him.
Also, I think Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will retire or start playing less, this match has hurt the Serbian a lot because he needs the motivation to face with the goal of becoming the most successful player in the Grand Slam.
In my opinion, this tournament is a turning point in tennis history that marks the end of the Big 3 era. " Woodbridge added: “This generation of young people perceives themselves as being called to dominate tennis for years to come.
Novak may be able to fight for one or two more trophies of this level, but what happened in this tournament will have its price." Therefore, the Australian concluded: "I feel that we have seen the more human side of Novak Djokovic, like never before.
We had seen it, since it is hidden in its aura of invincibility."
Nadal was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon and the Olympics
During the course of the launch event Rafael Nadal also talked about how he is happy with the way his career has shaped up, given that he has achieved things he had never dreamed of.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion added that he has had to do so by overcoming several injury issues. "I have had fantastic things, bigger things than I would have ever dreamed of, and also more complicated moments in the form of injuries," Nadal said.
"But, within what is possible I have always had a way to get ahead. Over the years, one must be realistic and things are more complicated because the clock is ticking," Nadal said. "But I am positive and I appreciate how lucky I am to be able to experience this kind of thing."
