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For years, the tennis world has speculated about the inevitable passing of the torch from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer to a new generation of tennis stars. That moment arrived resoundingly in Paris at French Open 2024 final, marking a historic shift in the sport's landscape.
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The last time Nadal, Djokovic, or Federer were absent from the French Open final was back in 2004 when Argentinian players Gaston Gaudio and Guillermo Coria took center stage, with Gaudio emerging victorious.
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The reign of Nadal, particularly dominant at Roland Garros, commenced in 2005 and endured for an astounding 14 years. Federer, Djokovic, and occasionally other challengers such as Stan Wawrinka managed to claim titles during this era. However, the trio's stranglehold on the majors was broken only sparingly by other formidable players, including Juan Martín Del Potro, Andy Murray, Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, and now, Carlos Alcaraz.
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Alcaraz's ascent to prominence has been meteoric, punctuated by his victories at the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in 2023. His presence in the French Open 2024 final underscores the changing of the guard in men's tennis.
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While the legacy of Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic will forever be etched in the annals of tennis history, their reign is now being challenged by a new generation eager to make their mark on the sport. The French Open 2024 final without their presence symbolizes not just the end of an era but the dawn of a thrilling new chapter in the ever-evolving narrative of men's tennis. As the sport bids farewell to its iconic figures, it eagerly awaits the unfolding drama and excitement that the next generation of stars will undoubtedly bring to the court.