Men’s Tennis’ Big 4 is More Vulnerable Than Ever Heading into 2017

When Novak Djokovic announced that an elbow injury forced him to withdraw from Beijing’s China Open, it was another sign that the World No. 1 is not ready to assume the dominance that destroyed the ATP for five major titles from 2015 through French Open 2016. Add the elbow to the sore left wrist and hurt right shoulder that ultimately factored in his loss at the U.S. Open final.

Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray should be hot on Djokovic’s tail for the year-end No. 1 ranking. He trails by 2,055 points in the Race to London, and a torrid finish ahead could snatch this honor away from an ailing Djokovic.

Except that Murray strained his thigh during Davis Cup competition a couple weeks ago, and he might be more likely to limp down the stretch to the World Tour Finals.

Spanish legend Rafael Nadal is now three years removed from winning the year-end title. These days he’s trying to hold on to the No. 8 position to qualify for the WTF. All considered, he has done a fine job just making it back after being sidelined for more than two months between the French Open and Olympics, but even his biggest fans might no longer see a silver lining with encouraging efforts.

And Roger Federer? Wimbledon was the end of his injury-troubled year that included knee surgery and back problems. He won’t be back until Australia 2017, at the earliest.

Tennis has enjoyed more than a decade of legendary exploits from this quartet of modern champions, commonly known as “The Big Four,” but their time is fading into the sunset. Even the reigning Djokovic has come face to face with his own mortality.

Nobody’s ready to write their obituary, but collectively they are more vulnerable than ever. How will the last tournaments of 2016 be an omen for the future?

The Conundrum Facing Novak and Andy

Djokovic is the king of the ATP, and health permitting, he could win several more major titles to add to his dozen giant trophies. But his slender frame has spent more than a decade sliding and scrambling with an offensive and defensive combination that has never been seen. He’s a race car that refuses to slow down. There has …

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