TENNIS
Did Generation Z take the reigns in women’s and men’s tennis?
Twenty-four years ago, the millennium turned, and today’s date is worth noting as a mark when tennis was only led by players born after 2000.
After a weekend of Grand Slam finals, Monday is the best moment to analyze the latest player rankings in two of the biggest tennis associations. Janick Sinner has taken the ATP number 1 spot from Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz has also moved ahead of him. Both players were born in this century. On the same day, a similar change happened in the WTA rankings. Iga Świątek had held the number 1 position for a long time, but Coco Gauff surpassed Aryna Sabalenka (26) to take the official second spot today.
Thus, for the first time, tennis players born in this millennium were simultaneously in the first two places on both world tennis associations lists. Of course, something like that inevitably had to happen sooner or later, but now that hour has come.
Świątek and Alcaraz break the $30 million barier
This isn’t the only achievement by players born in the 2000s at Roland Garros. Świątek and Alkaraz have become the first tennis players of their age to surpass $30 million in career earnings. The Spaniard has earned $31,543,329 from tournaments alone, ranking ninth in total profits. Novak Djokovic holds the record with $182,494,969, Rafael Nadal with $134,887,504, and Roger Federer with $130,594,339, all of whom have earned over 100 million.
Iga Świątek is currently ninth in all-time earnings in women’s tennis history with $31,276,512. In comparison, the highest-earning female player is Serena Williams with $94,816,730, followed by Venus Williams with $42,648,697.
At only 23 years old, Iga Świątek’s rapid ascent up the earnings ranks is remarkable, and she has a real chance to surpass Venus Williams in the near future. This data just highlights Świątek’s exceptional talent and potential to achieve historic milestones in the sport’s future.
Considering all that Carlitos and Iga have achieved in their short careers, it’s evident that they both have the potential to participate in a race where historic accomplishments from previous generations are at stake. Although it will be challenging, they have many years of playing ahead of them.