Federer braces for another next-gen challenge in 2020

After dominating the tennis world for so long, Roger Federer thinks the sport’s Big Three could face their toughest challenge yet from a new generation in 2020.

Federer’s 2019 season ended with a 6-3, 6-4 semifinal loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday at the ATP Finals in London, having seen Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal eliminated in the group stage of the tournament this week.

Tsitsipas, a 21-year-old Greek who is playing at the ATP Finals for the first time, is among a handful of up-and-coming talents looking to finally end the unprecedented era of dominance by that trio. Other youngsters at the season-ending tournament include defending champion Alexander Zverev at 22 and U.S. Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev at 23.

Tsitsipas will play Dominic Thiem, 26, who beat Zverev 7-5, 6-3.

“It’s the same question every year at the end of the year,” Federer said about the new generation. “But does it feel like this year might be the best year yet? Possibly. ... But then I look at the list of who finished World No. 1, who has been World No. 1 all these years, and it’s just crazy that it’s always one of us. But we are not getting any younger. So chances increase not because we are getting worse but because they are getting better.”

Nadal clinched his fifth year-end No. 1 title this week, putting him level with both Federer and Djokovic.

• Former Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic announced his retirement at 34 after a 17-year professional career.

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