First there was the age of Roger. Then there was Roger and Rafa. Then there was Roger, Rafa, and Novak. Now, as we can see when we look at the results of the last seven Grand Slams, we’re officially in the Age of the Big 4. Whether you consider that a healthy expansion of possibilities or a disappointing dilution of talent and personality will depend on your loyalties.
In 2012, Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, and Andy Murray divvied up the four majors between them. The trend has continued so far in 2013: Djokovic defended his turf in Australia, as did in Nadal in Paris; at Wimbledon, Murray took Federer's place in the winner's circle. For the parity to continue, it’s now up to Federer to do the same to Murray at the U.S. Open. It won’t be easy, as we’ll see in a minute.
The final major of 2013 is hardly wide open—the Big 4 have won all 15 Grand Slams played in this decade. But none of them is a heavy favorite, either. Nadal has won the last two hard-court events, Djokovic is No. 1, Murray is the defending champ and Wimbledon winner, and Federer, who seems fit enough for another run, remains Federer. Their draws are out; let’s see what they might face over the next two weeks.