Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer: The end of a staggering 19-year French Open streak

At this year’s French Open, there will be a new men’s singles champion for the first time since 2016 after a remarkable streak shared by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer ended.

One of Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, who will compete in the semi-finals today, will win their maiden Roland Garros crown on Sunday.

Djokovic is the most recent first-time French Open winner, having defeated Andy Murray in the 2016 final to complete the career Grand Slam.

Since Stan Wawrinka’s triumph in 2015, Djokovic and Nadal have imposed a duopoly on the Paris Grand Slam, having won the previous eight editions between them.

The Serbian has won all three of his Roland Garros titles in this period (2016, 2021, 2023), while the Spaniard collected five of his record 14 crowns at the event between 2017 and 2022.

Djokovic’s title defence at the 2024 edition of the tournament ended in unfortunate circumstances as he was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.

The 37-year-old pulled out ahead after reaching the quarter-finals, having sustained a meniscus tear in his right knee during his fourth round victory over Francisco Cerundolo.

Every year since 2005, at least one of Nadal, Federer or Djokovic had reached the final of the French Open, with the Serbian’s exit meaning this incredible streak has ended at 19 years.

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This is also just the fourth time in the last 81 Grand Slam tournaments — since the start of the 2004 season — that no member of the Big Three reached the semi-finals.

The Big Three in French Open finals

Nadal has reached 14 finals in his 19 appearances at Roland Garros and is, amazingly, undefeated in the title round. The King of Clay, who holds an astonishing 112-4 record at the clay-court Major, has never dropped more than a set in a championship match at the event.

The 38-year-old has beaten eight different opponents in French Open finals: Mariano Puerta (2005), Federer (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011), Robin Soderling (2010), Djokovic (2012, 2014, 2020), David Ferrer (2013), Wawrinka (2017), Dominic Thiem (2018, 2019) and Casper Ruud (2022).

Federer contested five finals at Roland Garros, having beaten Soderling in the 2009 title match to claim his lone crown at the event and complete the career Grand Slam. The Swiss was a runner-up to Nadal in all four of his other finals.

Djokovic has played in seven French Open championship matches and he overcame Murray (2016), Stefanos Tsitsipas (2021) and Ruud (2023) for his three triumphs. As well as his three final losses to Nadal, Djokovic was beaten by Wawrinka in 2015.

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