There is no denying that time may be almost up before we actually realize it for Tennis greats Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. The rising concern about whether or not the sport will suffer a blow when these guys call it quits has been going on since time immemorial. But for another former elite player, there is nothing to worry about as he believes that Tennis is in good hands with several up and coming players expected to fill the void that will be left by the three.

Boris Becker, a six-time Major champion, said that it has been a normal case for Tennis followers to wonder, let alone agonize, about what lies ahead whenever long-standing greats decide to hang it up. He cited Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi as prime examples of former superstars that were backed up by high-potential youngsters who eventually took care of the game.

"Whenever an era of champions ends, we think it will be the end of tennis, but then a new generation comes along. I was part of it when we stopped and it was the turn of Agassi and Sampras. Now we are thinking this is going to end with Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, but it is never going to end,” the 52-year-old German said.

He then mentioned the likes of Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Alex de Minaur, Denis Shapovalov, and Nick Kyrgios as the most promising heirs to the throne to be left by Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, Karen Khachanov and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also some names he mentioned that could make a huge leap sooner than later.

“We have fantastic young and exciting players who are coming, and they will be everything in the future. Zverev, of course, will be there, Dominic Thiem as well. There are de Minaur, Shapovalov and Nick Kyrgios who has big potential and is box office when right,” said the former No. 1 tennis player.

Alexander Zverev in action against Rafael Nadal at the ATP Finals
Alexander Zverev in action against Rafael Nadal at the ATP Finals AFP / Adrian DENNIS