Roger Federer admitted the young guns could be finally catching up with the old guard after Stefanos Tsitsipas ended his bid for a seventh ATP Finals title.
For only the third time in 16 years the final of the season-ending tournament in London will not feature at least one of the ‘big three’ after 21-year-old Greek Tsitsipas beat Federer 6-3 6-4 in the last four.
With Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic falling by the wayside in the group stage, 02 debutant Tsitsipas will face Dominic Thiem, 26, in a distinctly youthful-looking finale on Sunday.
Nadal, 33, Djokovic, 32, and 38-year-old Federer have ended the year as the top three in the rankings – just as they did as far back as 2007.
But the performances of Thiem – who beat both Federer and Djokovic this week – and Tsitsipas suggest the gap may finally be closing going into next season.
“Does it feel like it might be the best year yet? Possibly,” said Federer.
“Then the only issue is that it seems like me, Novak, and Rafa are healthy, healthier than maybe in previous years, as well.
“So from that standpoint, I think they have proved their point this year by qualifying for the Finals, and also now Dominic showed again at these Finals, and winning five titles, beating all of us top guys.
“Definitely it’s that next step they need, and seems like Dominic is in his absolute prime right now. Yeah, I would think so.
“But then I look at the list of who finished world number, who has been world number one all these years, and it’s just crazy that it’s always one of us.
“But we are not getting any younger. So their chances increase not because we are getting worse but because they are getting better, I believe.”
Federer was unable to reach the heights he scaled while dismantling Djokovic two nights ago.
Despite forcing 12 break points he converted just one, while Tsitsipas broke the 20-time grand slam champion three times.
“I’m proud of myself, how hard I fought, how concentrated I stayed in the break points,” said Tsitsipas.
“I didn’t crack under pressure. I was very composed and very mature in my decisions.”
Thiem, the world number five, saw off defending champion Zverev 7-5 6-3.
The Austrian had never made it out of the group stages in three previous appearances in North Greenwich, but he has been the stand-out player all week.
Thiem, twice a French Open runner-up, said: “This is a big, big dream come true for me.
“It is one of the biggest and most prestigious tournaments of the whole year and I’m getting the chance to play the final.
“It is unreal to me and to beat the defending champion, a very good friend and unbelievable player – it is an unbelievable achievement. I’m very, very happy.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here