The tennis world has recently been buzzing with the notion that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have already surpassed the legendary trio of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic in terms of their playing level. However, this bold claim has been met with skepticism by some of those who lived through the era of the ‘Big 3.’
The debate was ignited by former world No. 1, Mats Wilander, who suggested that the young duo has elevated the sport to new heights in recent years. With Federer now retired and Nadal’s career winding down, along with Djokovic entering the twilight of his own career, Wilander believes that Sinner and Alcaraz have stepped up to fill the void. In an interview with Eurosport, Wilander praised their performances, stating that “no one” has come close to matching the level of intensity and excitement Alcaraz and Sinner bring when they’re at their best.
“They put on such a great, entertaining show,” Wilander noted. “To me, it’s up there with the absolute best sporting events ever. Every time they play, the suspense, the entertainment—it’s incredible.” He highlighted how their matches are full of momentum shifts, with both players equally capable of seizing control at any moment. “What you see with them is that the match can go any direction. Either of them can win. Neither of them are intimidated by the other person.”
According to Wilander, their playing level mirrors the best tennis we’ve seen, claiming that when they’re at their peak, “no one has ever played better tennis, that the tennis ball has done more different, complicated, difficult things than the ball is doing between Sinner and Alcaraz.”
Backing up Wilander’s assessment, current world No. 4, Taylor Fritz, argued that Sinner and Alcaraz are hitting the ball with an intensity unmatched by the sport’s most celebrated players. “Their defense is incredible,” Fritz remarked, pointing out how both players seem to thrive in intense rallies. “When they are on the run in the corners, they just crush the ball. If I’m in a backhand cross-court rally with either one of them, I have to be perfect, or else the next ball is coming right back at me, drilled huge cross-court.”
Fritz went on to explain that while Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic were known for their extended baseline rallies, Sinner and Alcaraz take those same exchanges to a new level, hitting the ball with what feels like ten extra miles per hour. “It’s just crazy,” he said, referring to the speed and power with which they play.
However, some are more cautious in their comparisons. It’s easy to rush to conclusions, especially in a sport as competitive as tennis, but the claim that 23-year-old Sinner and 21-year-old Alcaraz have already surpassed Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic may be premature.
Former world No. 6, Gael Monfils, weighed in on the debate, offering a more measured perspective. Speaking to Tennis365 at the UTS Grand Final in London, Monfils acknowledged the impressive achievements of both Sinner and Alcaraz but noted that it’s too early to make such bold comparisons. “Of course, Jannik had an incredible year, and Carlos as well,” Monfils said. “It’s been an unbelievable year for him, and on the numbers, he has to be the best player this year. But it’s tough to compare them with the ‘Big 3’ right now.”
Monfils suggested that we should wait a few more years before making comparisons. “These guys are still young, so let’s see where they are in five or ten years. Then, maybe we can make a fair comparison. Right now, Carlos is 21, so it’s tough to compare him to someone like Novak, who’s 37 and has won so many Grand Slams. But what’s clear is that both of them are doing it in a way that gives them a real shot at matching the legends of our sport.”
French Davis Cup champion Jeremy Chardy echoed similar sentiments, dismissing the idea that Sinner and Alcaraz have already reached a higher level than Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. In an exclusive interview with Tennis365 at the UTS Grand Final, Chardy smiled before remarking, “I played these guys so many times in my career, and they were incredible players with incredible records. But at the moment, Sinner and Alcaraz have had a good start to their careers, but you cannot compare them to Roger, Rafa, and Novak yet.”
Chardy also emphasized his discomfort with comparing players from different eras. “I don’t like to compare eras,” he explained. “Maybe in ten years, we can look at what Jannik and Carlos have accomplished and say, ‘Wow, they did something comparable to those three guys.’ But not yet.”
As Sinner and Alcaraz continue to make waves in tennis, it’s clear that both their potential and the legacy of the ‘Big 3’ are subjects of ongoing debate. While the younger players have certainly established themselves as major contenders, only time will tell whether they can ultimately match the incredible records set by Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. For now, though, they are on an exciting trajectory, and the tennis world is eager to see what they will achieve in the years to come.