Rafael Nadal has shared his thoughts on whether Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz could emulate him, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Djokovic, Nadal and Federer are widely considered to be the three greatest players in the history of men’s tennis.
From Federer’s first Grand Slam triumph at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships to Djokovic’s most recent at the 2023 US Open, the Big Three won an astonishing 66 of the 81 majors held. Djokovic has secured a record 24, while Nadal and Federer retired on 22 on 20 respectively.
Alcaraz and Sinner are the two leading stars of their generation and they split the four Grand Slam titles between them in 2024
Last year, Sinner won his maiden major at the Australian Open before adding the US Open title, while Alcaraz collected the French Open and Wimbledon crowns to take his Grand Slam tally to four.
The duo are the only ATP players born after 1996 to win a Grand Slam title, with 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev, who is 28, the next-youngest men’s Slam champion.
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Nadal believes Sinner and Alcaraz are capable of matching, or even surpassing, the Big Three.
“If we’ve done it, others can do it, and things are there to be improved,” the former world No 1 said at a publicity event, as quoted by Eurosport Spain.
“Obviously, there are two players who are above the rest: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and there were three of us for almost too many years.
“Thanks to the demands we set for each other, we’ve made our careers something that was difficult to imagine years ago, and now new generations are coming who will fight to surpass us.”
The 38-year-old Spaniard, who called time on his incredible career in November last year, also spoke about his life in retirement.
“I’m living a more or less organised and focused life,” Nadal explained.
“I’m not someone who likes to do nothing, and that’s why in the years leading up to my retirement, I had my family and team who prepared my future and what to do. I have the Academy, which is a vital project in that sense; we’re expanding, and it takes time.
“He also spoke about his future prospects. I’m discovering what I like, too. Sports and education are something that interests me and I like, and I’m directing my future toward that..
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The post Rafael Nadal on Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of surpassing him, Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer appeared first on Tennis365.
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