Jelena Dokic's staggering call after Jannik Sinner betters Djokovic and Federer in 47-year first

Jelena Dokic reckons the 'changing of the guard' in men's tennis is finally here after Jannik Sinner achieved a 47-year first on Sunday that Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal never managed in their storied careers. In capturing the US Open crown, Sinner became the first man since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win the first two grand slams of his career in the same calendar year.

The Italian won the Australian Open in January, and added the US Open title on Sunday as he took down Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-4 7-5. Not even all-time legends Djokovic, Federer or Nadal managed to win their first two majors in the same year, and Dokic says it's a clear sign that the new brigade are finally starting to take over.

For years we've been told that a changing of the guard was happening in men's tennis, but Djokovic has stuck around and kept winning grand slams. But 2024 marks the first year since 2017 that Djokovic hasn't won a major title, as the 37-year-old put all his focus into capturing Olympic gold.

Carlos Alcaraz won Wimbledon and the French Open, and he and Sinner look destined to dominate men's tennis for years to come. Speaking on Channel 9's coverage of the US Open, Dokic pointed out that this marks the first time in 22 years that none of Djokovic, Nadal or Federer have won at least one grand slam in the calendar year.

"There's definitely a changing of the guard, but we just didn't know who that was going to be," she said. "If you look at Sinner and Alcaraz and the next generation coming through, we're in for something very special."

Dokic made the staggering call that Sinner and Alcaraz have the potential to muscle in on the grand slam records the 'Big 3' have set through their illustrious careers, with Djokovic (24), Nadal (22) and Federer (20) the top three major winners in men's tennis. "They can at least be in double digits," Dokic said. "I think it's going to be an incredible rivalry and they will push others to get up their level. It will be interesting to see what happens to Novak now and whether he can win another grand slam."

Questions emerge around Novak Djokovic for rest of 2024

Djokovic didn't appear to be fully invested in the US Open as he crashed out at the hands of Australian young gun Alexei Popyrin in the second round. The Serb had poured all his energy into winning gold at the Olympics last month as it was the only big prize he'd failed to win in his career.

The 37-year-old has given no indication that he's on the verge of retiring, and even suggested he wants to play at the LA Olympics in 2028. But Father Time appears to be catching up with him, and as it stands he won't even qualify for the year-ending ATP Finals.

Alex de Minaur has overtaken Djokovic to sit in eighth place in the race to Turin, and only the top eight will qualify for the prestigious event to finish the year. It would mark the first time since 2017 (when he was injured) if Djokovic doesn't qualify for the ATP Finals, which he has won a record seven times.

RELATED:

• Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell in staggering 28-year first at US Open

• Lleyton Hewitt cops massive blow as news about Alex de Minaur emerges

There's still big tournaments in Paris and Shanghai to come in 2024, but whether or not Djokovic opts to play them remains to be seen. Dokic suggested Djokovic might take a break now and freshen up for the Australian summer and beginning of the 2025 season.