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By Alberto Amalfi | Thursday, July 28, 2016

 
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer

"Whether that's going to happen later this year, next year, or in few years, that's something that we don't know, but that is coming," says world No. 1 of changes at the top.

Photo credit: Getty

Before Novak Djokovic cemented his place among the Big Four, he toppled the Top Three.

In August of 2007, a 20-year-old Djokovic defeated the world's Top 3 in succession—third-ranked Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals, second-ranked Rafael Nadal in the semifinals and World No. 1 Roger Federer in the final—to capture the Montreal title and become the first man to beat the world's Top 3 in a tournament since Boris Becker did it 13 years earlier.

More: Federer Sacrifices Proper Swan Song

Returning to the Rogers Cup this week, Djokovic reflected on the changing landscape at the top of the game and the future of the Big Four.

The 34-year-old Federer has pulled the plug on his 2016 season to rehab his surgically-repaired left knee, while Nadal hopes to comeback from a tendon injury in his left wrist at the upcoming Rio Olympic Games.

Seven of the world's Top 10 are 29 or older, but Djokovic points to the youngest members of the Top 10—22-year-old Dominic Thiem, 25-year-old Milos Raonic and 26-year-old Kei Nishikori—as well as talented young players Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Zverev and Borna Coric as clear signs the new generation is coming to bring changs to the elite power structure.

"The four of us guys that have been, you know, very fortunate to dominate a sport in last ten years have been staying consistently there in those spots," Djokovic said after defeating Gilles Muller in his Rogers Cup opener. "We are all aware it's not going to stay forever, you know. Obviously we have a new generation coming up that is already established in top 10 of the world, like Nishikori and Raonic and now Dominic Thiem.

"It's a natural cycle of life and sport. New faces are coming up and challenging the best players in the world. They did win against all of us in some big occasions here and there, and they showed that they have enough quality to, you know, be serious contenders for the top spots and for major titles."

Djokovic says a changing of the guard in the elite ranks is inevitable.

"So eventually that's going to happen. Somebody's going to come in the mix," Djokovic said. "Whether that's going to happen later this year, next year, or in few years, that's something that we don't know, but that is coming. And, you know, I obviously can speak only on my own behalf and I'm going to try to, you know, stay there and motivated as much as I can."




Interestingly, three of Djokovic's four losses this season have come against veteran players: Feliciano Lopez led the top seed by a set when Djokovic retired from the Dubai quarterfinals with an eye infection, former junior rival Andy Murray knocked Djokovic out in the rainy Rome final and Sam Querrey shocked the world No. 1 in the third round of Wimbledon.

Jiri Vesely, who stunned Djokovic in the opening round of his hometown tournament in Monte Carlo in April, was the first player under age 25 to beat Djokovic since Nishikori upset the top-seeded Serbian in the 2014 US Open semifinals.

The next generation is coming, but so far it has been more inspiring than threatening to Djokovic's hold on the top spot.

"I know as time goes on and passes by, I will have, you know, more players challenging me and trying to take away that top spot," Djokovic said. "That is the ultimate goal, I think, in sport.

"But that's something that keeps me going, I guess, each day, knowing that there is so many of the other guys that are putting in the hours on the court, so I need to work even harder in order to stay there."


 

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