Zverev defended Djokovic after their semi-final clash, which the German won after the Serbian retired hurt after one set, leading to boos as he walked off the court.

Djokovic has been suffering with a hamstring tear, having required medical attention on the issue during the Australian Open.

He still managed to beat Carlos Alcaraz in their quarter-final, but later lost to ATP number two Zverev, who in turn has now lost to Sinner in the final.

John McEnroe says Novak Djokovic has made Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz better

But despite the world number one lifting the trophy at Rod Laver Arena, former number one John McEnroe focused on the superb career and indeed longevity of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“I am going to say first of all that Djokovic, I am going to hand it to him, because he has forced these youngsters to get better,” McEnroe said on Eurosport.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner has advice for Alexander Zverev after beating him in the Australian Open final in straight sets

“They realise how good he is and still is. And he has shown that when he outwitted Alcaraz and pulled that out.

“We talk about when is the changing of the guard? I think you are finally seeing that for real. Let’s face it, it was Sinner and Alcaraz who won all four majors [last year].

“Now Sinner has won another one, so now we are starting to look at who is the third or fourth guy. Will it be an American guy?

“When is [Joao] Fonseca going to break through? Can [Jakub] Mensik do something big? But boy oh boy it looks like those two are going to dominate.”

Who can help form the next ATP Big Three with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz?

Men’s tennis has now been without the so-called Big Three since Roger Federer retired from tennis in 2022.

The Swiss legend was joined by Rafael Nadal and Djokovic in dominating Grand Slams and indeed other ATP tournaments for several years.

READ MORE: The three players who have the best chance of forming the next Big Three alongside Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

The Serbian is now the only player remaining after the Spaniard’s retirement last year, but there is every chance a new-look Big Three can be formed.

And while there is no denying that 2024 Grand Slam champions Sinner, 23, and Alcaraz, 21, make the cut, the last spot remains up for grabs.

The likes of Fonseca and Mensik are certainly worth considering given their Australian Open feats, having beaten Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud in Melbourne.

But their fellow NextGen ATP Finals star Learner Tien could also be in the mix, with the American having knocked out last year’s Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev.

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