Novak Djokovic is not forecasting a changing of the guard at the top end of men's tennis any time soon after he, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all cruised into the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The world's top three players, with 53 grand slams between them, all had the easiest of afternoons on Monday that was anything but manic for them, dropping just 19 games across their three matches.
Djokovic beat French rookie Ugo Humbert in straight sets, winning 6-3 6-2 6-3 as their dominance of the game was laid bare.
Giving sidestep a whole new meaning 🤸♂️#Wimbledon | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/qt1vGF157r — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2019
The champion this year looks sure to come from one of those three men as the next generation of players struggle to get anywhere near them on the biggest stage.
Asked why that continues to be the case, Djokovic said: "I have no explanation for that. I leave it to you to understand why.
"I think we are working as hard as anybody really to be there.
"I think the experience we have helps confidence, everything that we have achieved in our careers obviously we carry onto the court, then most of the players feel that, feel pressure.
"It's great that I'm one of these three guys and still very successful.
"We talked about it many times, of course, that you see new faces in sport.
"Young guys will eventually replace us at the top spots of the world. This is going to happen? When? Hopefully not too soon, but it's going to happen.
"I guess we don't want that to happen soon."
It is the 45th time Djokovic has reached the last eight of a grand slam – only Federer has achieved more – and few would back against him claiming a fourth SW19 crown on Sunday.
He added: "Hopefully a long and successful week, second week.
"I think as the match progressed, I played better and better. Very, very pleased with performance. I think it's exactly what I was looking for and what I needed."
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