George W Bush to Trump: None of Big 3 in top 10 rankings for first time since 2002

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP)

Last time none of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were in the top 10 of the ATP rankings, George W Bush was the US president, euro had just entered circulation, and Ronaldo had just led Brazil to the FIFA World Cup title.For the first time since October 2002, the men's top 10 no longer includes any member of the Big Three. Djokovic, the last active player from the trio, dropped from No. 5 to No. 12 in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday after his early exit at the US Open.Federer retired in 2022 at the age of 41, while Nadal retired in 2024 at 38. Djokovic, now 39, is the last member of the trio still playing.The rankings underline how much tennis has changed. In October 2002, Lleyton Hewitt was the world No.

1. Nearly 24 years later, his 17-year-old son Cruz Hewitt is now beginning his own professional career.Djokovic's fall came after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone at the US Open. It was his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open, and the first time he had lost his opening-round match at the US Open."I've been very proud of all the achievements in the past, but now is now," Djokovic said after the defeat in New York.

Djokovic remains the most successful men's singles player in Grand Slam history with 24 major titles, ahead of Nadal's 22 and Federer's 20.

The numbers behind the Big Three

Federer entered the ATP top 10 later in October 2002 and stayed there until the end of 2016. During that period, he also spent a record 237 weeks as world No. 1.Nadal broke into the top 10 in April 2005 during his rise on clay as an 18-year-old. He stayed in the top 10 for a record 912 consecutive weeks before dropping out in 2023.Djokovic entered the top 10 in 2007 and went on to spend a record 428 total weeks as world No. 1.

A new generation takes over

The current rankings continue to be led by Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.This season has been very different from last year. Sinner and Alcaraz met in three of the four Grand Slam finals in 2025, but they did not face each other in any major final in 2026.Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury, while Sinner withdrew from the US Open with a right knee injury.While Alcaraz won the Australian Open and Sinner won Wimbledon, the most consistent player this season has been Zverev. He won the French Open and the US Open, finished runner-up at Wimbledon and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open.

Even after winning his second Grand Slam title of the year, Zverev stopped short of calling himself the world's best player.“If everyone is healthy, I think Jannik is still ahead,” Zverev said after beating Ben Shelton in the US Open final.

“It's as simple as that.”Ben Shelton, after reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, climbed five places to world No. 4 in the latest rankings.

Rybakina replaces Sabalenka at No. 1

On the women's side, Elena Rybakina moved to world No. 1 after winning her second Grand Slam title of the season at the US Open, having also won the Australian Open earlier this year.Rybakina's victory ended Aryna Sabalenka's run of 99 consecutive weeks as world No. 1.