With the rapid rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in recent years, debate has intensified over how the two modern stars would have fared had they competed in the same era as the Big Three.
While comparing generations across any sport inevitably drifts into hypotheticals, one renowned tennis coach who has consistently sided with younger players and the evolution of the game is Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.
Mouratoglou: “They Have No Weaknesses”
Late last year, Mouratoglou famously suggested that, unlike their predecessors, Alcaraz and Sinner have no weaknesses in their games, making them as close to unbeatable as any players the sport has ever seen.
“Ask any player how you beat them and they will not have an answer. Fast balls, slow balls, drop shots — there is no weakness. That is modern tennis and that’s why these two are different. There is no weakness. When you look at 20 years ago, the best players had some weaknesses… the new generation are just so complete.”
So when Novak Djokovic recently defeated Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, those discussions only intensified. Many argued that if a near-39-year-old Djokovic, well past his physical prime, could still compete with Alcaraz and Sinner at their peak, then Djokovic, and his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, would have held a clear advantage over the “New Two” had they all played in the same era.
Mouratoglou Pushes Back
Mouratoglou quickly pushed back against that narrative, stressing that one match should not redefine a broader trend.
“For those who think that Djokovic beating Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open means that the Big Three are playing better tennis than Alcaraz and Sinner, this is a very short view. Just remember, Sinner had won the five previous matches they played against each other. Just one match will not make me change my mind about what I’ve seen for the last two or three years. Jannik moves faster, hits harder, takes the ball earlier, and serves better than Novak. But Novak is the strongest mental in tennis history, and that’s what made the difference.”
Rafael Nadal Replies Back
While reactions to Mouratoglou’s comments were mixed, a surprise response came from Rafael Nadal himself. Always generous in his praise of younger players, the 22-time Grand Slam champion appeared unconvinced by Mouratoglou’s stance.
Nadal’s reply was simple, and telling:
“🤭🫣🤣🤣🤣”
Nadal has long spoken glowingly of both Alcaraz and Sinner, even expressing a desire during the recent Australian Open for his Olympic teammate and protege Alcaraz to complete the Career Grand Slam in Melbourne. However, his reaction to Mouratoglou’s remarks made his feelings clear.
Big Three Make Their Position Clear
It is a sentiment that has largely been echoed by the rest of his historic rivals. Roger Federer suggested last year that while the “SinCaraz” rivalry is undoubtedly historic, the pair have benefited from tournament organisers slowing courts to suit their style. Djokovic, meanwhile, urged fans to respect the legends of the past while still praising the champions of the future.
While fans will never get to witness peak versions of the Big Three going head-to-head with today’s Alcaraz and Sinner, the three greatest players in tennis history have made it increasingly clear what they believe the outcome would have been.
Main Photo Credit: Phil Didion/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
