Is the 'Golden Era' of Men's Tennis Over?
It's been a 'Golden Era' of men's tennis. Three men with different styles, personalities and skill sets have dominated the sport like no men before them. But are we still in it? Is the era behind us and are we now in a different phase? Look at the results and you'll think I am crazy. Look a little closer and you'll see a whole new picture.
Since 2004 Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic have won 53 of the 63 Grand Slam tournaments played. As things stand today one of them is likely to win number 54 next week. That is almost 85 percent of slams played. Dominance of this kind did create the 'Golden Era' but it is now creating a hangover that is hurting the game of tennis.
For each generation of fans the players of their time create a memory bank that in unmatched. This bank floods us with flashbacks of the ones we loved and the moments that we will never forget. In Cricket, Sunil Gavaskar will always be the ultimate batsman for my fathers generation as will Sachin for mine and Virat for my nephews. For anyone from my generation no matter how many centuries Virat scores he will never have an innings like Sachin's 'Operation Desert Storm'. For my father Roger-Rafa 2008 will never eclipse Borg-McEnroe 1980
The 'Golden Era' of men's tennis was great but it is done. Those who believe it isn't are blinded by the camouflage of their memories that is hiding reality. The sport finds itself in a dangerous position with a new challenge, that of raising the quality of tennis once again. If the next generations performances are any indication, we have a long way to go before another great era emerges.
Photo Credit: https://www.essentiallysports.com/novak-djokovic-is-a-better-player-than-roger-federer-and-rafael-nadal-says-patrick-mouratoglou/
Since 2004 Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic have won 53 of the 63 Grand Slam tournaments played. As things stand today one of them is likely to win number 54 next week. That is almost 85 percent of slams played. Dominance of this kind did create the 'Golden Era' but it is now creating a hangover that is hurting the game of tennis.
The Memory Effect
Every sport has legends that dominate the era in which they play. These legends develop a fan base that is die-hard and unshakeable. Eventually age and fresh legs start to take over. New players emerge and the old ones move on. It is a natural progression.
After Borg and McEnroe came Becker and Edberg, then Agassi and Sampras, and finally Roger and Rafa who were joined by Novak.
For each generation of fans the players of their time create a memory bank that in unmatched. This bank floods us with flashbacks of the ones we loved and the moments that we will never forget. In Cricket, Sunil Gavaskar will always be the ultimate batsman for my fathers generation as will Sachin for mine and Virat for my nephews. For anyone from my generation no matter how many centuries Virat scores he will never have an innings like Sachin's 'Operation Desert Storm'. For my father Roger-Rafa 2008 will never eclipse Borg-McEnroe 1980
The 'Golden Era' of tennis has had its share of moments.
One of the greatest Grand Slam finals of all time was the Novak-Rafa Australian Open, 5 hour 53 minute slugfest in 2012. It remains some of the best tennis every played. But that was seven years ago.
Arguably the greatest Wimbledon final ever played was 2008. We remember every rain delay and will never forget Roger's backhand down the line, you know the shot. But that was eleven years ago.
One of the greatest Grand Slam finals of all time was the Novak-Rafa Australian Open, 5 hour 53 minute slugfest in 2012. It remains some of the best tennis every played. But that was seven years ago.
Arguably the greatest Wimbledon final ever played was 2008. We remember every rain delay and will never forget Roger's backhand down the line, you know the shot. But that was eleven years ago.
Today, when we think of the prospect of a Big Three match up our brain reminds us. It floods us with memories of 2008 and 2012. But here is what is important. More than the scoreboard, what made these matches great was the level of tennis. Where has that level gone?
I know what you're thinking. What about the 2019 Wimbledon final? Well, here is where a lot of you are going to disagree. Was it a good match? Of course it was. It was 12-12 in the fifth and only an idiot would say it wasn't. But how good was the tennis? Be honest. It was average at best. Two or three great points in a marathon five setter doesn't qualify as great tennis. Sure, we will remember the score and the emotions we felt as fans, but we won't remember the tennis.
The Golden Era
The key aspect to understand is that 'Golden Era' of tennis was not just about the rivalries and close matches. What made the era great was of the quality of tennis. It was a level that saw shotmaking that was impossible to fathom. Stamina and mental strength that defied human potential and champions that raised the bar every single time they stepped out on the court. The Big Three raised tennis to levels never before seen and frankly levels we may not see for a while. It was a historical display not just in tennis but in all of sport. It was a 'Golden Era'.
The key aspect to understand is that 'Golden Era' of tennis was not just about the rivalries and close matches. What made the era great was of the quality of tennis. It was a level that saw shotmaking that was impossible to fathom. Stamina and mental strength that defied human potential and champions that raised the bar every single time they stepped out on the court. The Big Three raised tennis to levels never before seen and frankly levels we may not see for a while. It was a historical display not just in tennis but in all of sport. It was a 'Golden Era'.
But the peak of this era was a few years ago. Since then the quality has unquestionably dipped. Despite this dip not a single young player has emerged to take them on. While this may be a testament to the kind of tennis that the three of them produced it is also a scary prospect for tennis. The quality is only going to continue to go down. It is inevitable. Age and injuries will take its toll on the Big Three and they will slow down physically.
The New Era
The New Era
The 'Golden Era' of men's tennis was great but it is done. Those who believe it isn't are blinded by the camouflage of their memories that is hiding reality. The sport finds itself in a dangerous position with a new challenge, that of raising the quality of tennis once again. If the next generations performances are any indication, we have a long way to go before another great era emerges.
Photo Credit: https://www.essentiallysports.com/novak-djokovic-is-a-better-player-than-roger-federer-and-rafael-nadal-says-patrick-mouratoglou/
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