MELBOURNE, Australia — And then there was one: The Big Three is down to just Novak Djokovic, who stands alone from a golden generation of men’s tennis now that Rafael Nadal has joined Roger Federer in retirement.

"I accepted it as it is. I understood the messaging that I got, which was we are rivals and nothing else,” Djokovic said

Gael Monfils will compete in his 35th ATP final in Auckland. The veteran lost to Novak Djokovic in Brisbane at the beginning of the season and found himself in a tough position in the first match in Auckland.