National Bank Open | Why I love the three giants

No, it’s not a misprint. The three biggest stars of men’s tennis are well and truly absent from the main draw this week in Montreal.

Roger Federer, injured, has been sidelined for a year; Rafael Nadal, also injured, withdrew on Friday; Novak Djokovic, unvaccinated, cannot enter Canada.

A rare eclipse. Never, between 2006 and 2020, had the three stars missed a Grand Slam tournament or the Masters series at the same time. But since last year, it is now the sixth time. Their bodies are cracking. flex. Crack apart, like the great glaciers of the Alps, which were believed to be resistant for centuries and centuries.

The three giants discarded, the road to victories finally opens up for the youngest.

“When the big three are there, you can say they are favorites from the start. They win a lot of tournaments. Almost every time they play, there are no surprises,” acknowledged Daniil Medvedev on Monday.

With reason. Since 2004, the trio have won 84% of Grand Slams and more than 100 Masters Series tournaments. Even Medvedev, yet world number one, has never defeated Federer.

“I beat Rafa once. Novak, a few times. The feeling is very special. We gain a lot of confidence [dans ces victoires]. »

In the absence of the three legends, a new parity is settling on the ATP circuit.

Are you happy?

Not me.

Yes, there are more Cinderella finales than before. Like the one between Cameron Norrie and Nikoloz Basilashvili in Indian Wells. Or the one that opposed Stéfanos Tsitsipás to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, recently, in Monte-Carlo. Now, who among you has changed your Sunday plans to watch these games on TV?

…

Well, there it is.

I prefer big dates. A Federer-Djokovic final at Wimbledon. A duel between Nadal and Félix Auger-Aliassime, at Roland-Garros. Even if it is not to the advantage of Quebecers.

It is by seeing them face the best in history that we can best judge the talent, potential and strength of character of young players.

I love athletes who rule their sport. Usain Bolt. Tiger Woods. Michael Phelps. Serena Williams. Tom Brady.

I like the ultimate matches involving the greatest sportsmen, in the greatest teams. A Stanley Cup final with Sidney Crosby. An Olympic final with Marie-Philip Poulin. A World Series with the New York Yankees. A World Cup with Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

I like the Canadiens of the 1970s. The Chicago Bulls of the 1990s. The San Francisco Giants of the 2010s.

I like dynasties.

I love athletes who collect Olympic medals by the dozen.

I like cyclists who collect stage victories in the Tour de France, as if they were panini tights.

I like athletes who hold all the records and who still hang on until their forties, to improve their statistics.

I like to see the greatest triumph. But I also like to see them bow. It humanizes them. It also magnifies the feat of the heartthrob.

Félix Auger-Aliassime’s victory over Roger Federer, eighth seed in Halle in the spring of 2021, made a greater impression than that against Alexander Zverev, third seed, at the last Australian Open.

“It’s an incredible victory! exclaimed Auger-Aliassime in his post-match interview, after beating Federer, his childhood idol. “I always thought he would be gone when I got to the circuit. He was winning Grand Slam tournaments when I was 5 years old. I never imagined playing against him. I wanted to turn professional, but I never expected to reach his level. To be now on the same field as him and to beat him is an honor for me. »

It is these milestones, these milestones, these moments of grace that we will lose when the three giants retire. Oh, I assure you, it’s not for tomorrow. Nadal just turned 36. Djokovic has 35. They still have victories in their legs. I remind you that Federer has won 15 individual titles – including three Grand Slams – after his 35^e anniversary.

Except that their best years are behind them. Will the three still be playing in two years? Will they come back to Montreal? Nothing certain. That’s why we would have liked to take advantage of the last rays of sunshine this summer.

After ? It will not be the great darkness. New stars will shine. Think of Carlos Alcaraz. Stefanos Tsitsipas. Casper Ruud. Felix Auger-Aliassime. But it is possible that during the vigil, on the edge of the fire, some of us will remember with nostalgia the golden age which is ending.