After Novak Djokovic suffered a surprising opening round exit at the 2025 Madrid Open, several tennis fans believe his Grand Slam-winning days are over, with Frances Tiafoe claiming the field is open for anyone to capture a Major title.

The American defeated Italian Luciano Darderi to reach the third round in Madrid. Conversely, Djokovic fell to another Italian, Matteo Arnaldi in his first match in Madrid. The Serbian continues to struggle on tour, and is yet to win a title since capturing gold at the Paris Olympic Games last summer.

The level of play is more equal now, says Tiafoe

With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal now retired, Djokovic is the last man standing from the Big Three Era. However, the 37-year old is in the twilight of his career, and no longer poses a serious threat to the rest of the field at Major tournaments.

With no one dominating as in the days of the Big Three, Tiafoe believes most players are on equal footing and anyone could win a title if they play their best tennis.

“I think the level is very similar, anybody can clip anybody on a given day,” said the 27-year old American. “I think it’s exciting times. Tennis reminds me of, right now, from 2000 to 2004 or 2005. It’s a window.“Anybody can win Slams. Anybody can win tournaments like this. We’re going to have, probably every Masters (season), there’ll probably be eight, nine winners. I’m pretty sure.

“Maybe Alcaraz and Sinner will probably get two or three. But it’s an open game. I don’t think anyone fears anyone. No one’s that much better than anyone, except Sinner and Alcaraz. I respect those two. But I think everybody else, if they’re not playing well, they can lose.”