Novak Djokovic was the one who became the primary challenger to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, thus creating the Big 3 era and ending the monopoly of the top two. The Serb not only challenged Federer and Nadal, but also ended up surpassing each one in the Grand Slam title count.
Now, the question in the current era is if anyone can eventually compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Combined, Alcaraz and Sinner have swept all of the major titles over the past two seasons–winning two apiece. They have faced each other in three consecutive slam finals, with the Spaniard most recently triumphing in four sets at the U.S. Open.
“I think their rivalry is amazing,” Djokovic said during his pre-tournament press conference before ultimately losing to Alcaraz in the quarters. “What they have done in the previous two years is remarkable for both of these players. Particularly this year, the finals that we have seen them play against each other in Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and a few other tournaments, it’s just amazing for our sport.
“On a global sport stage, these are the types of encounters and rivalries people get very excited about. When it comes to individual sports like ours or boxing, Formula 1 racing–whatever it is, golf–people love to see rivalries. I think their rivalry is, without a doubt, the best one we have in the moment. And it looks like it’s going to stay like that for some time.
“And then you have obviously other young players that are definitely going to challenge them, and hopefully somebody can get in the mix…. There are players that are able to have that Djoker spot, the third spot. I kind of empathize with the third guy, because I was in those shoes with Federer and Nadal. I want to see a third guy coming in.
“But it’s fun. Obviously to see these guys play on such a high level is amazing.”
It’s especially fun for Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s coach. Ferrero, a former world No. 1 in his own right, agrees that a third party at or near the top would be good for the game. But that doesn’t mean he wants to see it.
“I think if we have more players fighting for the big titles, for people I think it’s going to be even more entertainment,” the Spaniard said following Alcaraz’s victory over Sinner in the U.S. Open final. “For us it [would] be worse. But, yeah, it’s always welcome–the players that rise and play a high level. I think people will. I think people learn from these kinds of matches (between Alcaraz and Sinner). They know where the level is and where they have to go. For sure they’re going to try.”
don’t hold your breath!
Agreed. Don’t see it happening….
Yes.. Djokovic…you Re rightttt.. the third guy will come definitely.. in next year.. …
Shelton, Draper the candidates right now – but neither is the total package . . . yet
Don’t believe either of them can reach that level.
At Masters level maybe… Slams are another planet against Sincaraz
Exactly!
Draper is always injured unfortunately.
Zverev might still win a major, it’s not impossible.
Somebody needs to stop them hoovering up all the slams the way he did, like Guest says probably Zverev, Fritz, Draper, if he can stop getting injured so damn much
Fonseca?
beat Tsitsi today
I wonder are the days of the one player one surface domination over. Like Nadal on clay or Djoko on hard .
I agree, people like Sinner and Alcaraz can perform well on all surfaces and lots of the young players on tour are the same way.
I personally don’t think Zverev has much of a chance to win a major let alone joining the big three and winning many… Fritz will win max 1 slam if not zero. If Draper stops getting injured then he has a real shot at winning a few majors. Shelton joining sinner and Alcaraz is possible but unlikely, I think maybe 1 or 2 slams for him. Fonseca has a chance but he’s too young to tell, if he able to be more patient and consistent with his shots and manage all the pressure around then he could win a lot of slams.