Big Four competing with more than just each other throughout 2017

Men’s tennis has the ‘Big Four.’ These four players, however, will be competing with more than just one another throughout all of 2017.

The Big Four have taken the sport by storm over the last decade. Starting with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s dominance, then moving into the Novak Djokovic – Andy Murray years, all four have asserted themselves on and off the court.

Federer kicks off 2017 with an Australian Open victory, bringing the Big Four back into the spotlight. Men’s singles tennis, however, is quickly being flooded with extremely talented younger players on top of an already established set of experienced veterans.

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Take American tennis player, Jack Sock, as an example. The 24-year-old American already has two ATP singles titles in 2017. He has also cracked into the top twenty and is the current world No. 18. Sock represents the new generation of American tennis players.

The two biggest players for the Big Four to consider are Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic.

Both players are currently in the top five of men’s singles tennis. Wawrinka is of the same generation as the Big Four and already has three Grand Slam singles titles. The Swiss player has won one Grand Slam per year for the last three years.

Raonic came close to a Grand Slam title last year when he reached the finals at Wimbledon. The 26-year-old has the potential to win several major tournaments in the near future if he can remain healthy. Other young players to consider are Kei Nishikori and Dominic Thiem. Nishikori has 11 ATP singles titles and Thiem has 8. Both are proven winners in tournament play and continue to make waves in the sport.

While Murray and Djokovic have largely traded titles over the last two to three years, Federer and Nadal are back in fine form. More importantly though, the sport is changing and both younger generations and experienced veterans have found ways to remain relevant on tour. Men’s singles tennis may have its heavy favorites in the Big Four, but the field is more competitive than ever before for the 2017 ATP World Tour.

Next: 10 Best Men's Players in Open Era

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