Big Three Era Ends as Djokovic Falls Out of World's Top 10
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Novak Djokovic has dropped out of the world's top 10 rankings for the first time since 2018, following his first-round exit at the US Open on September 14, 2026. This marks the first time since October 2002 that none of the legendary Big Three—Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer—appear in the top 10, as both Federer and Nadal have already retired. The 39-year-old Djokovic, who has spent 428 weeks at world number one, called the moment a significant shift from his past achievements.
Key Points
- Djokovic fell from 5th to 12th in the rankings released on September 14, 2026, after losing in the US Open first round
- This is the first time since October 2002 that no member of the Big Three appears in the top 10 rankings
- Federer retired in 2022, Nadal retired in 2024, leaving the 39-year-old Djokovic as the only one still competing on tour
- His US Open first-round exit was his worst Grand Slam performance in 20 years, since the 2006 Australian Open
- Djokovic holds 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing Nadal's 22 and Federer's 20, with 428 weeks at world number one
- Hong Kong's Coleman Wong also exited the US Open in the first round, losing 90 ranking points and dropping to 112th in the world
Why It Matters
The departure of all three tennis legends from the top 10 signals the definitive end of an unprecedented era in men's tennis that dominated the sport for nearly two decades. Djokovic's struggles may be short-lived as he is set to represent Hong Kong at the Davis Cup and Asian Games, where Coleman Wong will also compete, offering local fans opportunities to watch these players in action.