The Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic near-two decade monopoly at the Italian Open is over - what now?

Could it be that the fresh, new era of young superstars taking over the spotlight in men’s tennis is finally upon us, right here, right now as the 2023 European clay-court swing enters its grand finale? It feels tantalisingly close after the near-two decade Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic monopoly of the Italian Open came to an end on Campo Centrale on Wednesday — but the true test of such a statement remains at the Grand Slams. Ad Over the past 10 years, many a starlet has been tipped to bring forward a changing of the guard and we’ve had a few false starts along the way, with the almost ageless trio of Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic continually defying both them and Father Time by hogging the major trophies, and embarrassing know-all pundits in their very own GOAT race.

Roland-GarrosNadal calls press conference to announce French Open decision2 HOURS AGO But that clock is ticking down fast now. Federer is long retired with growing concerns that Nadal won’t be too far away from hanging up his racquet and strolling off into the Mallorcan sun.

The Spaniard has stood alongside Djokovic in denying the NextGen from taking over in recent years but the 36-year-old’s air of invincibility has faltered as a result of his almost continual battle with injuries. It has lengthened his absence from the tour more and more and left Djokovic as the last old-timer standing who can realistically halt the shift on a regular basis, particularly if we exclude Nadal on clay courts.