By Richard Pagliaro

Novak Djokovic isn't considering ceding the Grand Slam stage anytime in the near future.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion is determined to break the major mark 20-time major title holders Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer share.

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Yet when Djokovic scans the Grand Slam horizon he sees several rising young stars capable of following US Open champion Dominic Thiem's footsteps and winning a Grand Slam title.

"It's great for the sport that we have new Grand Slam champions," Djokovic told the media at the ATP Cup. "We have new successful young players that are showing the courage and boldness, coming into the biggest stadiums in sport, willing to take on the biggest challenge in facing especially the three of us, fighting for the biggest title."

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The world No. 1 cites four players—US Open finalist Alexander Zverev, Australian Open and Roland Garros semifinalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, former US Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini and Canadian shotmaker Denis Shapovalov—capable of breaking through and mastering a maiden major.

"There are a few of them that are very close. They have a huge potential," Djokovic said. "Obviously there's still a lot of time ahead of them. One of them is obviously Tsitsipas. You have Zverev, Shapovalov as well. Already established top-10 players, next to Dominic, of course. You have Berrettini, so forth."



Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport tabs two young players—Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime—as future Grand Slam champions though the Hall of Famer doesn't see the current top three relinquishing Grand Slam dominance anytime soon.

"I look at someone like Andrey Rublev, who is incredibly talented, so good. He's now in the top 10. I think he's ready for more of a Grand Slam breakthrough on that kind of level," Davenport told the media in a Tennis Channel conference call. "The Canadian, Felix Auger-Aliassime. He's going to win majors, be at the top. Hopefully it's this year. Maybe it's this year.

"I just don't see Rafa and Novak going anywhere. Even Thiem for that matter. I don't see them letting these guys come up just yet."

Eight-time AO champion Djokovic concurs.

"I'm sure that these guys already have plenty of quality in their work and experience and motivation to get out there and win big titles," Djokovic said. "Rafa, Roger and myself are going to make sure that doesn't happen for another 10 years at least (smiles)."

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