The Rafael Nadal prediction from 2019 about the Big Three that came true within a year

Rafael Nadal said ‘a young player’ would win a Grand Slam in 2020

At the close of 2019, Nadal told L’Equipe that he didn’t expect the established names to sweep every major the following year, suggesting a younger player could break through.

“I don’t think that the Big Three are going to win all four. A young player is going to arrive next year,” he explained.

That season was interrupted by the pandemic, which led to Wimbledon’s cancellation and left only three majors on the calendar.

Djokovic took the Australian Open title, while Nadal added another French Open crown to his collection. But his prediction came true at the US Open.

Dominic Thiem captured his first and only Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows, beating Alexander Zverev in a five-set final.

Players Who Won Grand Slams During the ‘Big Three’ Dominance

Andy Murray was the only one of the nine players outside Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic to win Wimbledon during their era, managing it twice.

The US Open saw the most variety during their time at the top, with seven players other than Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic taking home titles.

Gaston Gaudio and Stan Wawrinka were the two men who managed to interrupt that run by winning Roland Garros.

Nadal missed Roland Garros in 2004 due to an ankle injury, which opened the door for others.

The Australian Open had just two winners outside the Big Three over a 20-year span: Marat Safin in 2005 and Stan Wawrinka again in 2016.