Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek Lead US Open Changing Of Guard

Newly-crowned champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek led a changing of the guard at the US Open as the transition from the "Big Three" era and Serena Williams gathered pace. The exiled Novak Djokovic, prevented from competing in New York due to US government vaccination mandates for visitors from overseas, may yet return to add to his collection of 21 Grand Slam titles next year.

But the continued absence from men's tennis of the 41-year-old Roger Federer and the fourth round exit of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal provide further proof that the trio's era of domination is drawing to a close.

The women's game is already confronting the departure of an icon, with the 40-year-old Serena Williams heading into retirement following an emotional farewell in New York.

Williams' exit in the third round, and Nadal's last-16 defeat, meant that for the first time since 2003 at a Grand Slam event, the quarter-finals of the women's and men's draws did not feature at least one of Williams, Nadal, Djokovic or Federer.

"It definitely shows that there's a changing of the guard going on, and obviously some of it has to do with age - for Roger Federer," Swedish great Mats Wilander told the Eurosport television network.

"Some of it has to do with Rafa not playing enough matches to be ready, and of course, a lot of it has to do with the fact Novak Djokovic wasn't allowed to come because he's not vaccinated.

"But at the same time, the depth in the men's game is unbelievable."

Adding weight to that view is the fact that the men's draw saw four new faces in the semi-finals, with debutants Frances Tiafoe and Karen Khachanov joining eventual finalists Alcaraz and Casper Ruud.

- 'We are the present' -

The 19-year-old Alcaraz is not