The 2019 ATP season did not signal any kind of changing of the guard or passing of the torch. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer–yes, those same guys that monopolized the top of the rankings as far back as a decade ago–once again finished one-two-three.
What this past year did, however, is set the table for what should be a wildly 2020 campaign–and perhaps even beyond 2020. There is no longer any doubt that Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas are coming. How fast they are coming in terms of winning Grand Slam titles remains to be seen, but each one is storming into next season with plenty of confidence.
If Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer are the Big 3, are Thiem, Medvedev, and Tsitsipas the Next 3? Only time will tell, but for now let’s look back on the latter trio’s 2019 highlights and best matches (not necessarily their best performances, but the best matches in which they were involved–win or lose).
Dominic Thiem
Highlights:
Best matches:
Indian Wells F: Thiem d. Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
Madrid QF: Thiem d. Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6(11), 6-4
French Open SF: Thiem d. Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5
French Open F: Nadal d. Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
Vienna F: Thiem d. Diego Schwartzman 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Nitto ATP Finals RR: Thiem d. Novak Djokovic 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(5)
Nitto ATP Finals F: Stefanos Tsitsipas d. Thiem 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(4)
Daniil Medvedev
Highlights:
Best matches:
Australian Open R4: Novak Djokovic d. Medvedev 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3
Monte-Carlo QF: Medvedev d. Novak Djokovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Barcelona SF: Medvedev d. Kei Nishikori 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
Wimbledon R3: David Goffin d. Medvedev 4-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
Cincinnati SF: Medvedev d. Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
U.S. Open R3: Medvedev d. Feliciano Lopez 7-6(1), 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4
U.S. Open F: Rafael Nadal d. Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4
Nitto ATP Finals RR: Rafael Nadal d. Medvedev 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(4)
Stefanos Tsitipas
Highlights:
Best matches:
Australian Open R4: Stefanos Tsitsipas d. Federer 6-7(11), 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-6(5)
Dubai SF: Tsitsipas d. Gael Monfils 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(4)
Miami R4: Denis Shapovalov d. Tsitsipas 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3)
French Open R4: Stan Wawrinka d. Tsitsipas 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 8-6
Washington SF: Nick Kyrgios d. Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7)
Nitto ATP Finals RR: Rafael Nadal d. Tsitsipas 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5
Nitto ATP Finals F: Tsitsipas d. Dominic Thiem 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-6(4)
[crowdsignal poll=10460740]
favorite match?
Has to be Rafa v Meddy USO final, im probably biased though ….
Faves:
Medvedev: USO final – amazing comeback for a 1st time slam finalist against a Legend.
Thiem: RG semi d Djokovic – great heart from Theim under trying conditions
Tsitsi: RG round 4 loss to Wawa. One of the MOTY’s.
I was very impressed by all three guys this year but Thiem the most.
I’ll have to wait to see how the others do in 2020. I think Tsitsi’s for real but maybe not just yet. He’s still very young and he’s no Rafa or Fed or Djoker. Let’s see how Medvedev recovers from his “exhaustion”. Too tired to play DC for his country? Bah, humbug. He had weeks to rest up afterwards!