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2019 was a year that signalled a changing of the guard in men's tennis. Whether that mantra is a work in progress or just a one-off story, we will likely find out in the not so distant future as the stars of the ATP return to action next month.
For the best part of two decades Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic stamped their authority at the summit of men's tennis, and together they have won an astonishing 55 Grand Slam singles titles. 2019 was the duopoly of Nadal and Djokovic, with both winning two majors apiece, but there were indications that the trio's dominance at the Grand Slams could be breached. Federer looks the most likely culprit, but then there is the famous phrase in tennis, write off Roger Federer at your own peril. It is worth noting that the legendary Swiss was one point away from winning a record-extending 21st Major at Wimbledon, and still at 38, he is showing no signs of waning.
However, there was a lot of success stories from tennis' newest crop of superstars. A look at the ATP rankings justifies this fact with five of the current top-10 players aged 26 years or younger.
So who are the three players that could win their maiden Grand Slam title in 2020?
3. Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev won plenty of hearts in 2019 and his spectacular run of results in the second half of the season culminated in his rise to the top five. From late July to mid-September he was the most in-form player on tour, reaching a remarkable six straight finals and collecting three titles in the process (two were Masters 1000s). The Russian also came mighty close to claiming his first Grand Slam title, fighting back from the brink in that US Open classic against Nadal before losing in five pulsating sets.
For a man of Medvedev's stature, it comes as a surprise to see him complement his power tennis with impressive athleticism from the back of the court. His most probable maiden Grand Slam will likely come on a hard court given his success on the surface.
Probable first Grand Slam title: Australian Open/ US Open
Did you know: Daniil Medvedev, at 59, won the most matches on the ATP tour in 2019. He also recorded a 22 match wins at Masters 1000 level. The Russian also competed in 9 finals, the most for any player in 2019.
2. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas caused the biggest shock of the opening week of the 2019 Australian Open when he defeated Roger Federer in four sets in a fourth-round match. Tsitsipas went all the way to the semi-finals in Melbourne where he suffered a chastening straight-sets loss to Nadal. The 21-year-old confessed that the defeat was a blessing in disguise as he returned to the drawing board and summoned his artistry and will to win.
Tsitsipas reached six finals in 2019 following that trouncing at the hands of the Spaniard, winning titles in Marseille and Estoril before his breathtaking run to the title at the Nitto ATP Finals in London. In the midst of that success, he did get his revenge over Nadal in Madrid.
Can Tsitsipas go one better and win his first Grand Slam in 2020? Possibly. The young Greek has notched up a handful of victories over the Big Three in 2019. He beat Federer in the aforementioned Australian Open fourth round and the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. He also has multiple wins over Djokovic
Probable first Grand Slam title: Australian Open/US Open
Did you know: At 21 years of age, Tsitsipas became the youngest winner of the ATP Finals in 2019 since a 20-year-old Lleyton Hewitt won it in 2001. He is also the highest-ranked Greek tennis player ever (currently at World No.6).
1.Dominic Thiem
At the top of this list is a man who has come closer than the chasing pack. Dominic Thiem reached a second successive Grand Slam final at the French Open, but unfortunately, ran straight into the greatest clay court player of all time yet again.
However, 2019 will be remembered as Thiem's most complete season on the mainstream tour. He won his first Masters 1000 title, surprisingly on a hard court when he bested Roger Federer in Indian Wells. His rise as the second-best clay court player of the year continued when he won in Barcelona and Kitzbuhel and finished runner-up at the French Open.
Thiem won five titles in total which is a joint-high, and he is the closest of any challengers to win a first Grand Slam in 2020.
Probable first Grand Slam title: French Open
Did you know: Dominic Thiem achieved a career-high year-end ranking of No.4 in his career. His five ATP titles in 2019 was a joint-high on tour.
