As the red clay of Madrid hosts another chapter in tennis history, Novak Djokovic stands at the center of a sport in transition. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, now the lone active member of the legendary “Big 3,” offered candid insights this week into how the new generation is measuring up to the era he, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal once ruled with iron fists.

A New Generation, A New Reality

The question posed to Djokovic was simple but loaded: Will we ever see another player dominate a season as he, Federer, or Nadal did—winning 40 straight matches, sweeping entire surfaces, or stringing together back-to-back Masters titles? Djokovic’s answer was both a compliment to his generation and a reality check for today’s rising stars.

“I take that as a compliment for our generation,” Djokovic said, a wry smile crossing his face. “But let’s be honest, it wasn’t common even for us. It happened once every five years or so. There was domination—Rafa on clay, Roger on grass, myself on hard court—but that level of consistency was rare even in our time.”

He pointed out that such sustained excellence came during the prime years of their careers—“between 23 and 33,” as he put it—while reminding everyone that Carlos Alcaraz, the brightest hope of the new era, is still only 21. “What he’s done at his age is not normal,” Djokovic said, “and I’m sure we’ll see a lot of him on the big stage with trophies for the next 10 or 15 years.”

Comparing Eras: Is It Even Fair?

Djokovic is quick to caution against direct comparisons between generations. “Every generation has different competition. It’s always hard to compare eras,” he said. For the last two decades, tennis was defined by the Big 3—and, as Djokovic noted, “the four of us,” including Andy Murray.

But with Federer and Nadal retired, and Murray’s appearances increasingly rare, Djokovic feels the shift acutely. “There’s a shift, not only in the generations of players coming up, but in the focus and attention. It takes time for people to accept that Roger and Rafa are now playing in memory—and one day, myself too.”

For now, he relishes his role as the standard-bearer for the “older generation,” hoping his presence continues to draw fans and inspire the next wave. “That’s one of the reasons I keep playing. I feel like it helps tennis thrive, keeps the crowds coming and people interested.”

Tennis Is Bigger Than Any One Player

Djokovic is philosophical about his place in the sport’s history. “The sport will outlive everyone. It’s more important than any individual. We are all here in the service of tennis,” he said. He sees it as a duty for top players to do more than win matches: “You try to contribute to the popularity of tennis, to bring more people, more kids into the sport. And I see that happening.”

Indeed, Djokovic points to record-breaking attendance at Grand Slams and tournaments like Indian Wells as proof that tennis remains robust, even as the icons of the Big 3 era step aside. “It shouldn’t be dependent only on big stars or legends. The sport should outlive everyone.”

Yet, he admits, there’s still work to do: “We still have big steps to make in that regard.”

Memories of Battle: The 2015 French Open Final

The conversation turned nostalgic as Djokovic reflected on the upcoming 10-year anniversary of his memorable 2015 French Open final against Stan Wawrinka—a match that denied him his first Roland Garros title.

“That was one of the toughest losses for me,” Djokovic admitted. “By then, I still hadn’t won Roland Garros, and I thought, ‘I’m not playing Rafa in the final for a change, maybe this is my chance.’ But then Stan stole it from me—he played some incredible tennis.”

Djokovic recalled the infamous shorts Wawrinka wore that day, joking, “We still joke around, I tell him the reason he played so well was because of those shorts. I really hated him for that!” But Djokovic’s respect for Wawrinka is clear: “He’s an incredible player, someone I really admire. He’s won three Grand Slams, Olympic gold, and at 40, after so many surgeries, he’s still pushing. That says a lot about his champion spirit.”

Looking Ahead: The Legacy Continues

Djokovic’s reflections are not tinged with regret but with pride and hope. He remains fiercely competitive, but also deeply aware of his responsibility to the sport. He’s committed to mentoring the next generation, whether through his own foundation or simply by example.

And as for his own future, Djokovic remains open-minded. When asked about the possibility of working with former champion Juan Martin del Potro as a coach one day, Djokovic grinned: “For now, I’m fine with my team—but you never know. I’m a young player, I have a lot of time!”

The Verdict: A New Era Dawns, But the Shadow of the Big 3 Remains

As the Madrid sun sets on another day of tennis, the message from Novak Djokovic is clear: The Big 3 era may be over, but its legacy endures. The new generation faces a higher bar, greater expectations, and a more physically demanding game than ever before. Whether anyone can replicate the feats of Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal remains to be seen.

But for now, the torch is being passed—not with bitterness, but with hope for a sport that, as Djokovic reminds us, is bigger than any one champion. And as long as he’s on the court, the story of tennis’ greatest era is not yet finished.