Novak Djokovic was the one who became the primary challenger of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, creating the Big 3 -AA and ended the monopoly of the top two. The Serbian not only challenged Federer and Nadal, but in the end they each surpassed them in the number of Grand Slam titles.
Now the question in the current era is if someone can eventually compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Combined, Alcaraz and Sinner have won all the most important titles in the past two seasons – two each. They have confronted each other with three consecutive SLAM Finals, with the Spaniard most recently triumphing in four sets at the US Open.
“I think their rivalry is great,” said Djokovic during his press conference before the tournament before he finally lost to Alcaraz in the quarters. “What they have done in the past two years is remarkable for both players. This year, especially this year we have seen them play against each other in Roland Garros, Wimbledon and a few other tournaments, it’s just great for our sport.
“In a worldwide sports stage, these are the types of encounters and rivalry that people are very enthusiastic about. When it comes to individual sports such as ours or boxing, Formula 1 racing – whatever it is, golf – people love to see for a while. And it seems that it stays that way.
“And then you clearly have other young players who will definitely challenge them, and hopefully someone can get into the mix … There are players who can have that djoker spot, the third place.
“But it’s fun. It is clear to see these guys playing at such a high level great.”
It is especially fun for Juan Carlos Ferrero, the coach of Alcaraz. Ferrero, a former world no. 1 in itself, agrees that a third party would be good for the game at or near the top. 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 will be even more entertainment,” said the Spaniard after the victory of Alcaraz over Sinner in the Our open final. ‘For us it [would] Be worse. But yes, it is always welcome – the players who rise and play a high level. I think people will do that. I think people learn from this kind of competition (between Alcaraz and Sinner). They know where the level is and where they have to go. They will certainly try. “
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