Rafael Nadal predicts tennis's golden era will end soon

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray - the Big 4 of men's tennis

After winning his ninth French Open title, an emotional Rafael Nadal said that tennis’s golden era, comprising of the ‘Big 4’ – himself, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, could soon come to an end.

Nadal’s win on Sunday against Novak Djokovic took the 28-year-old Spaniard’s French Open record to a stunning 66-1 since his debut in 2005. However, when he returns to Roland Garros in 2015 to challenge for his 10th title, he will be 29. After fighting constant knee and back problems throughout his career, Nadal’s road to his nine French Open victories, and 14 Slams overall, has not been easy.

"This year is emotional for different reasons," said Nadal after his record-setting fifth consecutive French Open title. “I am 28, it's not forever. I want to enjoy the moment because I have worked so hard to be here. I will have a few more opportunities but you don't know if I will ever win it again," he added.

Nadal admitted that fatigue had played a role in Sunday’s final as he began to feel cramps in his calf towards the end of the match which he won 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4.

Nadal also added that had he not won the second set, he might not have been able to eventually fight his way to victory.

But ever the realist, Nadal put all of that into perspective.

“Our generation is on the way out. We have all been here for a long while. It's normal. A generation is walking away and others will replace us. It will not come overnight, but it will come," he said.

Rafa’s uncle and coach Toni Nadal too feels that retaining the title next year will be harder than ever before. He said, "What I hope now for him is to win it for a 10th time. But I know that it will be more and more difficult, even almost impossible. Each year the chances of victory are reduced. Next year, we will arrive with the fear of losing, telling ourselves it'll be really hard."

The ‘golden generation’ of tennis has seen four men throughly dominate the sport, taking each other’s game to ever higher levels. Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray have won 39 of the last 44 Slams dating back to Federer’s first Wimbledon title in 2003. But the next time they all return to Roland Garros, a year from now, Federer will be 34, Nadal will be 29, and Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will have turned 28.

Murray and Djokovic may have time on their side but for Federer it has become a villain. Though his dominance is declining, the Swiss maestro has no intention of giving up just yet. “It's true that I have won everything, but I am still fascinated by the sport and by the desire to face the daily challenges of the world's best players and the young stars,” he was quoted as saying.