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Dominance at the top of the men’s game is nothing new.
As age caught up with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, thoughts turned to the void left by the ‘Big Three’, who won 66 of the 78 Grand Slams held between 2004 and 2023.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shattered any expectation of the men’s majors being blown wide open.
“I see a lot of guys who can start to become a threat if they progress, but to say this person will be a threat next season is difficult,” Patrick Mouratoglou, who coached 23-time major singles champion Serena Williams between 2012 and 2022, told BBC Sport.
“If you look at the margin those two guys have above the other players, it’s difficult to imagine.”
BBC Sport picks out five players who could potentially end the ‘Sincaraz’ duopoly next season.
Ben Shelton – big serve & ‘big ego’
Age: 23
World ranking: 9
With serves touching 150mph and plenty of on-court sass, Shelton announced himself with his run to the New York semi-finals in 2023.
The left-handed American reached another Grand Slam semi-final in Melbourne this year, but came unstuck against Sinner.
His progress at the next two majors was blocked by Alcaraz at Roland Garros and Sinner again at Wimbledon.
“I think the next guy will have to have a huge ego if he wants to be in the mix – so it can be someone like Shelton, maybe,” said Mouratoglou.
“He will have to make progress but I think his confidence in himself and in his game is big enough.”
Former British number one Greg Rusedski agrees Shelton has the “firepower” to win a major.
Taylor Fritz – aggressive & ‘looking to improve’
Age: 28
World ranking: 6
Fritz has been a staple in the top 20 for the past four seasons, with a game built around a serve that was ranked second on the ATP Tour in 2025.
An aggressive approach from the baseline supports the American’s opening shot, with a steely drive and work ethic underpinning his consistency.
Fritz’s problem so far has been simple: his level is not as high as Alcaraz or Sinner’s.
He has won just two of his 11 matches against the pair – one victory over each but none at a major – but is seen as the “likeliest to close the gap” by former world number four Tim Henman.
“He’s so efficient on serve and at the back of the court, both forehand and backhand, but [he needs to] try to finish a few points at the net when he’s so aggressive from those groundstrokes,” Henman said on Netflix’s coverage of the Six Kings Slam exhibition event.
Jack Draper – ‘leftie’ weapons
Age: 23
World ranking: 10
Draper’s promise is illustrated by him finishing 2025 as the world number 10, despite playing only 11 tournaments.
With his left-handed serve and forehand able to puncture the defence of most opponents, the British number one has beaten both Sinner and Alcaraz over three sets – including the latter on his way to Indian Wells glory in March.
“Someone like – and I’ve got my biased hat on here – a fully fit Jack has weapons,” Britain’s Davis Cup captain Leon Smith told BBC Sport.
“I think it helps the fact he’s a leftie. There’s big serving, big cuts of the ball.
“He can beat them – we’ve seen it before in one-off matches.
Felix Auger-Aliassime – maturing & has firepower
Age: 25
World ranking: 5
When Auger-Aliassime reached his first Grand Slam semi-final in 2021, it felt like he was primed for the very top.
However, his progress was derailed by a string of injuries and a lack of belief at the biggest events.
The Canadian started 2025 outside of the world’s top 20, but his game – booming serve, vicious groundstrokes and supreme athleticism – came together late in the season.
He surged into the top five after reaching the US Open semis, claiming the Brussels title and losing to Sinner in the Paris Masters final.
“I like the way he has matured in the past three to four months and how he played at the US Open,” said Tennis Channel analyst Mark Petchey.
Novak Djokovic – the third wheel
Age: 38
World ranking: 4
That Djokovic consistently looks the most likely to disrupt the ‘New Two’ is testament to his enduring brilliance.
It is also damning about the rest of the pack.
“Despite barely playing, he was still the third-best player on the planet this year, and he still wants to keep going,” Rusedski said.
By his own admission, Djokovic’s problem going into 2026 is beating Sinner and Alcaraz over five sets.
Anyone else?
Germany’s Alexander Zverev is the nearest challenger in terms of ranking and has long been predicted to win a Grand Slam.
However, the 28-year-old has regularly shown he lacks the belief to get over the line – including three defeats in major finals.
And what about the precocious talents emerging?
Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, 18, is tipped for big things but is far from the finished product, while 20-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik – who beat Djokovic in the Miami final – is the youngest player in the world’s top 20.
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- Tennis
- 16 August
