George W. Bush to Donald Trump: None of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in top 10 for first time since 2002

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Bottic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP) Last time none of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were in the top 10 of the ATP rankings, George W Bush was the US president, the euro had just entered circulation and Ronaldo had just led Brazil to the FIFA World Cup title.For the first time since October 2002, there is no member of the Big Three in the men’s top 10. Djokovic, the last active player of the trio, fell from No. 5 to No. 12 in the latest ATP rankings released Monday after his early exit at the US Open.Federer retired in 2022 at the age of 41, while Nadal retired in 2024 at 38. Djokovic, now 39, is the last member of the trio still playing.The rankings underscore how much tennis has changed. In October 2002, Lleyton Hewitt was world number one. Almost 24 years later, his 17-year-old son Cruz Hewitt is starting his own professional career.Djokovic’s downfall came after a first-round loss to Mariano Navon at the US Open. It was his first Grand Slam exit in 20 years, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open, and the first time he lost his opening match at the US Open.“I was very proud of all the successes in the past, but now I am now,” Djokovic said after the defeat in New York.Djokovic remains the most successful men’s singles player in Grand Slam history with 24 major titles, ahead of Nadal’s 22 and Federer’s 20.

The numbers behind the Big Three

Federer entered the ATP top 10 later in October 2002 and remained there until the end of 2016. He also spent a record 237 weeks as world number one during this period.Nadal broke into the top 10 in April 2005 during his ascent on clay as an 18-year-old. It remained in the top 10 for a record 912 consecutive weeks before dropping out in 2023.Djokovic entered the top 10 in 2007 and spent a record 428 weeks as world number one.

A new generation is coming

The current rankings are still led by Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.This season was very different from last year. Sinner and Alcaraz met in three of the four Grand Slam finals in 2025, but did not meet in any major finals in 2026.Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon with a right wrist injury, while Sinner withdrew from the US Open with a right knee injury.While Alcaraz won the Australian Open and Sinner won Wimbledon, Zverev has been the most consistent player this season. He won the French Open and the US Open, finished runner-up at Wimbledon and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.Even after winning his second Grand Slam title this year, Zverev stopped calling himself the best player in the world.“If everyone stays healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead,” Zverev said after beating Ben Shelton in the US Open final. “It’s that simple.Ben Shelton climbed five places to world No. 4 in the latest rankings after reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open.

Rybakina replaces Sabalenka in 1st place

On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina moved up to world number one after winning her second Grand Slam title of the season at the US Open, having also won the Australian Open this year.Rybakina’s victory ended Aryna Sabalenkova’s 99 consecutive weeks as world number one.