The New Big 3

[jimlosaltos]

Carlos Alcaraz reportedly said the new Big Three is: Him, Jannik Sinner and Sasha Zverev.

What think ye?

[stotty]

Carlos Alcaraz reportedly said the new Big Three is: Him, Jannik Sinner and Sasha Zverev.

What think ye?

Definitely Him and Sinner...not sure about Sasha. I would put Meddy above Sasha for sure.

[seano]

Definitely, Alcaraz & Sinner. Blogs is up for debate

[John Yandell]

Do we need a Big 3?

[jimlosaltos]

Do we need a Big 3?

Need some consistent excellence IMHO, whether that is a trio or not.

[John Yandell]

The players we have are all excellent

[stotty]

I think it's important to have household names, a couple of players who dominate the rest and become the men to beat.

John is right in one sense. All the players are excellent. Sadly however most of those excellent players have woeful head to head records against the Big 3 and that has set a precedent for players like Sinner and Alcaraz to live up to. It's a terribly difficult act to follow and I am doubtful any of the new crop can fill those kind of shoes.

Despite Roger's absence the last few years, ticket sales are as strong as ever, which is a good sign at least.

It will be interesting to see how the game shapes up when Novak and Rafa finally ship out.

[jeffreycounts]

I think the "Big 3" era is over. Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic are all in the running for greatest of all time, and, unbelievably, all played most of their careers together. (Almost) nobody else could win a slam with those guys playing. It was a special time to be a tennis fan, that's for sure. Djokovic will carry the torch for a few more years and will surely end up with the most slams. Nadal's record at the French will never be beaten. And I can't believe another player will have the global impact that Roger had. He is transcendent. The Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods of tennis.

Carlos has the most complete and punishing game of the current generation. And he seems to be the toughest mentally, but he doesn't strike me as being the next Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic yet. He's just a great player that should win multiple slams. Whether he gets anywhere near the 20, 21, or 22 range is entirely speculative at this point.

Maybe I'm just old, but I sure miss Safin, Haas, Nalbandian, Monfils (still playing but at the end of his career). The only player that I get excited to watch currently is Kyrgios. He's a genius on the court like those I mentioned. But he could end up in a mental institution or jail before he wins a slam, so I'm not counting on anything there. I am really looking forward to see a Djokovic - Alcaraz grand slam final. That would be something.

[jeffreycounts]

Need some consistent excellence IMHO, whether that is a trio or not.

Agreed. Djokovic should dominate for the next year or two I would think. Carlos is the only guy with the game to challenge him, in my opinion.

[stroke]

Looks like Alcaraz and Sinner are next up at the top of the charts. Medvedev, it will be interesting to see how many weeks he ends up career wise weeks at number 1.Novak seems to have at least another year as the favorite in about any tournament he is in. Nadal, now the best clay courter in the world for 18 years or so, does he have one more FO in him? We will see. He will certainly be at least in the top 3 favorites.

[jimlosaltos]

Looks like Alcaraz and Sinner are next up at the top of the charts. Medvedev, it will be interesting to see how many weeks he ends up career wise weeks at number 1.Novak seems to have at least another year as the favorite in about any tournament he is in. Nadal, now the best clay courter in the world for 18 years or so, does he have one more FO in him? We will see. He will certainly be at least in the top 3 favorites.

Can't argue.

I'll guess that Rafa will make one, big last push at Roland Garros.

But to be frank, he looked more out of match shape at the Laver Cup than Fed did. In fairness, perhaps impending birth of his first child was a distraction.

As for Alcaraz vs Djokovic, that will be interesting to watch. One match isn't much to project on, but Alcaraz wasn't at all outmatched, in their only meeting winning in 3 (with 2 TBs) on Madrid's fast clay, possibly as neutral a setting as possible. Djokovic didn't do nearly as good a job returning Alcaraz's serve as Sinner has.

[stroke]

Can't argue.

I'll guess that Rafa will make one, big last push at Roland Garros.

But to be frank, he looked more out of match shape at the Laver Cup than Fed did. In fairness, perhaps impending birth of his first child was a distraction.

As for Alcaraz vs Djokovic, that will be interesting to watch. One match isn't much to project on, but Alcaraz wasn't at all outmatched, in their only meeting winning in 3 (with 2 TBs) on Madrid's fast clay, possibly as neutral a setting as possible. Djokovic didn't do nearly as good a job returning Alcaraz's serve as Sinner has.

Alcaraz is certainly not outmatched by Novak. Novak just is such a tough out when he is fully engaged. I would be absolutely shocked if Alcaraz ever gets anywhere close to Majors of the 3, and even more shocked if he gets anywhere close to the Master's 1000's titles won by the 3, particularly Novak and Nadal.