Historic Shift: No Big Three in ATP Top‑10 for First Time Since 2002

New Delhi, September 14 – The latest ATP rankings reveal a landmark moment: for the first time in more than two decades, the top‑10 list contains no player from the legendary Big Three. Novak Djokovic’s first‑round loss to Mariano Navone at the US Open dropped him to 12th place, removing the final member of the trio from the elite group.

Roger Federer retired in 2022 after securing 20 Grand Slam titles, while Rafael Nadal hung up his racket in 2024 with 22 major championships. Djokovic, now 39, continues to compete and is eyeing a 25th Grand Slam victory that would surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 titles.

During the Navone match, Djokovic suffered severe gastrointestinal distress, reporting vomiting, constant nausea and muscular cramps that left him unable to continue at his usual level. He later commented, "I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, but my body has told me it can’t keep up. This year I’ve faced similar problems almost every match – sickness, queasiness, cramps and pain."

Djokovic first broke into the top‑10 in 2007 and held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 428 weeks, a record in the Open Era. His early exit at the 2026 US Open is the first time he has been eliminated in the opening round of a Grand Slam since his loss at the 2006 Australian Open.

The absence of the Big Three from the ATP top‑10 signals a seismic shift in men’s tennis, ushering in a new generation of contenders ready to write the next chapter of the sport.