Carlos Alcaraz accepts he’ll never match Djokovic, Nadal and Federer standard
Carlos Alcaraz has said it will be “practically impossible” for him and other players on the ATP Tour to match the rivalry of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer changed the game, winning a total of 66 Grand Slam singles titles between them.
Djokovic and Nadal played each other 60 times, which is a record for two male players in the Open Era. Djokovic and Federer met 50 times, while Federer and Nadal played each other 40 times.
With Nadal and Federer now retired and Djokovic turning 38 later this year, many people see Alcaraz as the main player in the post-‘Big Three’ era.
Alcaraz, who turns 22 in May, has already been world No 1 for 36 weeks and has won four Grand Slam singles titles.
Many are looking at his rivalry with Jannik Sinner as one that could take tennis to new heights, with other players like Joao Fonseca also expected to perform well at the top of the game.
However, in an interview with El Nuevo Dia, Alcaraz made it clear that this is a different time for tennis, and no rivalry will be as intense as the one between the ‘Big Three’.
“They set the standard for tennis and what can be achieved at an incredible level,” said Alcaraz.
“There are many players who can win Grand Slams and beat the best. Young players, including myself, who can fight for big titles.
“But reaching the level of rivalry between Rafa, Federer, and Djokovic will be practically impossible. We will have our own battles; I will have my battles with great players, but a rivalry like theirs will be very hard to repeat.
“The era of [John] McEnroe and the others was very different from the time of Federer, Rafa, and Djokovic. And our time will be different from theirs.
“Tennis is changing: the tournaments, the speed of the balls, everything changes. We need to keep adapting as tennis evolves.
“I think Rafa, Federer, and Djokovic have set a certain expectation, but tennis will keep evolving, and we will evolve with it.”
Alcaraz has never played Federer in an official ATP match but has faced Djokovic eight times and played Nadal three times.
The 21-year-old said it has been a “source of pride” to play against Djokovic and Nadal and spend time with all three of them during his career.
He added: “I’ve played less against Federer. I’m still playing with Rafa in his final years and with Djokovic.
“But it’s a source of pride for me. In the end, they are three of the best players in the history of the sport. To have played with some of them, even briefly, has been amazing. They are role models.
“Rafa has been my idol, and I have great respect and admiration for what the other two have done. So, to have shared time with them has been incredible.”
Alcaraz was speaking in Puerto Rico, where he will play Frances Tiafoe in an exhibition match in San Juan on Sunday.
After that, the world No 3 will head to California, aiming for a third straight title at the Indian Wells tournament.
If he wins again, he will join Federer and Djokovic as the only three men to win three consecutive titles at the famous Masters 1000 event.
