Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have been informed that the brand new era has already arrived because the Serb’s former coach supplied a actuality verify. Boris Becker claimed that the guard had already modified with Carlos Alcaraz successful the US Open and changing into world No 1.

Djokovic and Nadal have been beginning to loosen their grip on the largest titles within the sport, with Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem all successful Majors within the final three years. And the 22-time Grand Slam champions have now been informed that the altering of the guard has “already happened” as Becker listed a variety of younger gamers who might threaten their dominance.

“Carlos Alcaraz became world No 1 after winning the US Open last year – that’s your evidence,” the German tennis legend informed the Guardian. And he thought the Spaniard wasn’t the one younger participant able to successful Majors forward of probably the most open Roland Garros in years.

“There are plenty of other young players knocking on the door, including Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune,” Becker added. “Then we have to mention the Russians – we don’t like to do so but we have to as they’re good enough.”

With Roger Federer retiring final 12 months, Andy Murray skipping the French Open to focus on grass and Nadal withdrawing injured, Djokovic is the one member of the Big Four who will contend for the title in Paris. And the world No 3 hasn’t reached his ordinary heights on the clay to this point this season.

Djokovic didn't transcend the quarter-final stage of his three warm-up occasions, marking the primary time since 2018 that he hasn’t lifted a title on the clay pre-Roland Garros. He has additionally dropped to the third seed place for the match, leaving him with an opportunity of going through Alcaraz within the semi-final.