The National Bank Open provides a hint of what men’s tennis will look like post Rafael Nadal’s and Novak Djokovic’s collective dominance. Judging by fan enthusiasm for this Masters event, there is plenty of reason for optimism moving forward.
Given the long-past absurd ability of both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to win despite injuries, illness, receding hairlines, and immigration drama, it might seem too early to have the “let’s talk about tennis when Rafole is no longer sucking up every big title available” conversation. However, that day IS going to come, and when it does I need to believe that the Carlos Alcarazes and Jannik Sinners of the tour will sell tickets.
Enter the Montreal “pilot” event.
Djokovic can’t get into Canada as long as the Great White North maintains its COVID vaccine requirement for foreign guests and the Serb remains steadfast in his conviction not to comply with that particular requirement. Nadal continues to nurse the abdominal injury that sent him out of Wimbledon prior to his semifinal match with Nick Kyrgios. No Rafa in Montreal. No Novak in Montreal.
But you know what? The stands are far from empty. And we’re talking about an opening day of play in which the temperatures are wildly below normal and the city beset with a full morning and afternoon of rain delays. The court dried, ball kids rallied, chair umpire Lichtenstein summoned only to be sent off again. Over and over. These resilient folks are here to see tennis, not Nadal and Djokovic.
Of course, there are fans of players that aren’t necessarily fans of the sport. There are Serbs who (understandably) marvel that one of the greatest players of all time is a fellow Serb. It’s hard to imagine many Serbian Djokovic adherents of that description randomly reassigning loyalties to…say…Taylor Fritz once Novak hangs up his tennis whites. And yet, the National Bank Open’s stands are half full of waterlogged, shivering fans interested enough to brave the elements to watch Emil Ruusuvuori and Stan Wawrinka.
I can’t say for certain that Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, or Felix Auger-Aliassime will bring the kind of star power that Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer have…. Then again, I can’t say they won’t, either. And as much as I’ve touted the marvel that is the Big 3 dominance, it’s entirely possible that the introduction of a little….uncertainty at the Slams will stoke interest rather than dampen it. All but the most diehard Nadal fan report being “amazed” (again, rightfully so) by his record-shattering 14 Roland Garros titles…while simultaneously admitting that there is a certain…Nadal fatigue when the French Open rolls around.
Believe me–I’m going to miss Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. I have too much awe–too much respect–for what they’ve done to do anything but mourn the holes they will leave in my most beloved sport.
But I’m excited, too…. For talented Italians, Americans, Australians, and Russians joining the conversation as possible Grand Slam contenders. I love the Big 3, but the sport is bigger than even the three greatest players of all time, greater than the greatest two rivalries of all time. It lived through the retirements of John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.
It will survive this, too.
I hope Medvedev wins. He, among other players, were unfairly banned from Wimbledon only to have a WTA Russian-born player win.
could be some dark days ahead
that being said, it will be fun when more than 3 guys have a chance at slams
Ya, could be. OTOH, we got through the Hewitt days well enough. LOL.
Send the rain to me please, haven’t had any in my neck of the woods for months and months. My garden is like the Sahara and the gorgeous countryside where I live is brown, dusty and dry.
I’m philosophical about the changes to the top 10, that aging inevitably brings. Though I’m not sure Andy is prepared to accept them yet. We used to joke about Fed and a zimmer, but look! Whose that?
Dimi and co will be gnashing their teeth, arrived on the scene just too early.
It’s refreshing for once not to have the big 3.
I don’t know if the conditions in Toronto are that good for exciting attacking tennis. Slow court ,damp conditions , hard to hit winners.