Players born in the 90s have yet to make a name for themselves in Grand Slams, even though the oldest of them have already turned 30. Mainly thanks to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, these players have yet to be won. the glory of tennis in notable events.
His only title came last year at the US Open when Dominic Thiem seized the opportunity and became the first player born after 1988 with a Major crown!
There has been an incredible group of players born between 1996-1999, and they have already secured the Masters 1000 trophies and a spot in the top 10. Still, they have yet to take the next step and dethrone the tennis legends from the Major’s pedestal, unable to beat Nadal and Djokovic and still waiting for that elusive trophy.
It should come in the future for many of them, and Martina Navratilova supports Stefanos Tsitsipas to achieve it before Daniil Medvedev. The legendary player believes that the Greek has a more complete game than the Russian and the tools to go all the way and become a big winner.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev have lost their first Major finals.
Players born in 1996 or later have played in three Major finals so far, losing in five sets and still waiting for the first title.
At the 2019 US Open, Daniil Medvedev pushed Rafael Nadal to the limit in a 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 loss after nearly five hours. Nadal was two sets to zero and one break in the third set before Daniil began to climb, stealing the third set and setting a decider in what could have been the most significant change at the US Open in 70 years.
Nonetheless, Nadal survived the opening service game of the fifth set and moved over with a double break, barely taking the win home to fall to the ground in disbelief. At last year’s US Open, Alexander Zverev blew two sets to zero advantage against Dominic Thiem, serving for the victory in the deciding set and still finishing second in the first Major Final with two players born in the 90s.
At the recently completed Roland Garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas had a great opportunity in the final against Novak Djokovic, playing at a high level to open a 2-0 lead. Using his vast experience, Novak turned the score around and won the next three sets in commanding style to claim the second Parisian crown and leave Stefanos empty-handed.
The youngsters will have another chance to claim the first Major crown at the upcoming US Open in September, with Djokovic and Nadal as their main targets. “The obvious answer would be Medvedev, as he ranks second.
Still, he would go with Tsitsipas. I think his game is more complete and I think he has the tools. We’ll see, “said Martina Navratilova.
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