A power shift sparks a chilling question: Can Djokovic’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles hold for the next decade?

Following the US Open, a highly explosive question arose among commentators: Can Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles record be preserved over the next decade?

When Djokovic secured his 24th Grand Slam victory at the 2023 US Open, this achievement was widely regarded as a historic milestone in tennis. It not only ended the heated debates about the greatest player of all time but also firmly established the Serbian star as the all-time number one. Many even believe this record of 24 Grand Slams is unprecedented and will be extremely difficult to surpass.

However, after this year’s US Open men’s final, with Sinner and Alcaraz once again sharing the four Grand Slam titles following last year, their combined performance has led many to say this is not a decline in competition but rather a power reshuffle. This has sparked intense discussion about whether Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles can be defended over the next decade.

After defeating Sinner to claim his second US Open title, Alcaraz matched the total of six Grand Slam victories, equaling Swedish legend Edberg and German icon Becker, earning him the reputation of having “entered the ranks of tennis greats.”

Although it was only a matter of time before Alcaraz’s talent allowed him to match these two tennis legends’ Grand Slam counts, achieving this feat at just 22 years old naturally raises concerns about other veterans being caught or surpassed — Djokovic included!

Looking at the current competitive landscape in tennis, few can rival Alcaraz in Grand Slam tournaments, and with the 24-year-old Sinner added to the mix, the meaning of despair becomes clear from the results of the last two years’ eight Grand Slam events.

If even the still formidable Djokovic struggles against Sinner and Alcaraz, it’s even harder for others to challenge these two’s dominance in Grand Slam titles.

After beating Sinner, Alcaraz stated in an interview that his career has not yet peaked and that he is striving to reach even greater heights.

This statement from the Spaniard, once publicized by the media, caused many fans and netizens to gasp. Some bluntly said that if Alcaraz’s peak is near invincibility, when that day comes, it will be nearly impossible for others to even compete for a share in Grand Slam titles, let alone gain any advantage.

After losing to Alcaraz, Sinner openly declared his intention to upgrade his game, saying, “I want to try to make changes and become less predictable. This is something I must do to become a better tennis player. Ultimately, that is my main goal.”

The Italian’s words suggest why many fear his future potential: he explicitly mentioned he might lose some matches in the process, showing a willingness to sacrifice short-term results to achieve long-term gains. His determination is strong, aiming to win more Grand Slam titles and intensify competition with Alcaraz.

Currently, Alcaraz is regarded as a versatile player with almost no weaknesses — a hexagonal warrior; meanwhile, Sinner is nicknamed “AI” for his near-perfect all-around game.

If the two strongest men’s players today are still pushing to improve and upgrade themselves, having already dominated the Grand Slams, and others are unable to challenge them, the question of whether Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles can be preserved over the next decade is not raised just for sensationalism. There is a real possibility that either Alcaraz or Sinner, or both, could surpass him earlier than expected.

Djokovic was already 36 when he won his 24th Grand Slam. But with Alcaraz at 22 and Sinner at 24, unless strong new challengers emerge to disrupt the current power dynamics, considering their complete control over the Grand Slams, most believe the likelihood of Djokovic’s record being broken within ten years is very high, provided no major injuries occur.

Previously, Medvedev, hailed as the new hard-court king, and Zverev, a strong contender across various surfaces, were expected to be the toughest opponents for Sinner and Alcaraz, potentially preventing them from extending their Grand Slam leads. However, given their current form, age, and respective issues, hoping they will block Sinner and Alcaraz from breaking Djokovic’s record in the next decade seems overly optimistic.

When Federer and Nadal were dueling, Djokovic emerged to break that pattern and stopped their Grand Slam tallies from growing geometrically. Now, with Sinner and Alcaraz recreating a similar rivalry, the question remains: will a third or fourth contender join the fray? If not, their Grand Slam counts could skyrocket from here, reaching unimaginable heights!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)