Tennis icon John McEnroe has predicted the two young ATP stars who will most likely replace Novak Djokovic to rival Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The famed commentator and tennis analyst named Ben Shelton and Holger Rune to fill Djokovic’s role once he calls time on his legendary career. However, McEnroe asserted that the Alcaraz-Sinner duo is step are currently way above their peers.
The Spaniard and Italian are the only pair on the tour to have won a major title under the age of 28 and they have separated themselves from their generation of stars.
Three of the last four majors have been clinched by either Alcaraz or Sinner with tennis legend Djokovic the only other man to claim a GS in this period with his 24th GS at 2023 US Open.
Alcaraz is a 3-time Slam champion having won the 2022 US Open, 2023 Wimbledon Championships and most recently 2024 Roland Garros. The 21-year-old is ATP #3 at the moment and looking in great for to win his Wimbledon title as he takes on Medvedev on Friday in the first men’s semifinal.
Meanwhile, Sinner claimed his maiden major at the 2024 Australian Open earlier this year in January and became the World #1 for the first time his glittering career after the Roland Garros last month.
The reigning champion at Melbourne Park tasted defeat for just the fourth time in 2024 and was knocked out by Medvedev after a 5-set battle in the Wimbledon quarters on Tuesday.
Talking to BBC 5 Live Sport, McEnroe was asked which players he identifies to turn into Djokovic challenge for Sinner and Alcaraz who have already drawn comparisons with The Big Three camp.
“I would put Shelton. I’m not sure I’d put Rune ahead of Shelton at this point. I’m hoping, maybe it’s just because we’re hoping in America he breaks out big. But he’s got that spark,” the 7-time Grand Slam champion said on the 6-Love-6 Wimbledon radio program.
“One of those guys hopefully. Maybe there’ll be someone that surprises us. But clearly Sinner and Alcaraz have taken it a step way above these other guys.
“And as far as who’s going to win more? That’s like asking before, who’s going to win more, Djokovic or Nadal? Way back when.”
Shelton and Rune, who are both 21, both reached the last 16 stage at the All England Club where they were swatted away by Sinner and Djokovic respectively.