Gen next set to take throne

EVER wondered what men’s tennis is going to look like when the Big Three finally give the game away?

The answer could be a lot closer than you think. Tennis fans have been spoiled for two decades with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic each gobbling up 20 grand slam singles titles.

It has been a golden era for the sport but it can’t last forever and the end is drawing ever closer as age and injuries start catching up with them.

For different reasons, not one of the Big Three is in Sydney for the ATP Cup, starting this weekend, but seven of the top 10-ranked players in the world will be in action, transforming the 16-nation team event at Homebush into a sneak preview into the future of men’s tennis. These are the biggest stars at the ATP Cup preparing to challenge the Big Three for the 2022 Australian Open and beyond.

■ Daniil Medvedev (Russia)

World ranking: 2. Age: 25

The 2021 Australian Open runner-up, Medvedev showed he has everything it takes to get to the top when he upset Djokovic in September’s US Open final, ruining the Serbian’s dream of a calendar year grand slam. ■

Alexander Zverev (Germany) World ranking: 3. Age: 24

Runner-up at the 2020 US Open, “Sascha” also showed he can mix it with the big boys when he beat Djokovic on his way to winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics then again en route to winning the ATP finals. ■

Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) World ranking: 4. Age: 23

Stunned the tennis world when he came from two sets down to beat Nadal in the quarter-finals of last year’s Australian Open then became the first Greek to reach a grand slam final, taking Djokovic to five sets in the decider at the French Open.

■ Matteo Berrettini (Italy)

World ranking: 7. Age: 25

Became the first Italian to make a grand slam final in 35 years when at Wimbledon last year. Also made the fourth round at Melbourne Park before injury forced him to withdraw.

■ Casper Ruud (Norway)

World ranking: 8. Age: 23

The son of former professional Christian Ruud, the Norwegian is one of the most promising young clay-court players on the circuit. The baseliner won five titles on the surface in 2021, including three in three weeks to soar up the rankings.

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Hubert Hurkacz (Poland) World ranking: 9. Age: 24

The Wimbledon 2021 semi-finalist, Hurkacz last year achieved what noone else had managed for almost two decades when he beat Federer in straight sets at Wimbledon.

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Jannik Sinner (Italy) World ranking: 10. Age: 20

Watch this space. Only took up tennis seriously in his teens but won the 2019 Next Generation ATP final in 2019 and has already claimed five ATP senior titles. The youngest man in the top 10, Sinner has earned comparisons with Federer and Djokovic for his allround game and calm demeanour.