Rafael Nadal issues Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner warning in Novak Djokovic claim
Rafael Nadal has proclaimed that it is too early to compare Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s rivalry to the Big Three because Novak Djokovic “is still there.”
The 22-time Grand Slam winner lauded Alcaraz and Sinner for the “amazing things” they are achieving as he declared the duo are “creating their own story.”
Sinner and Alcaraz’s developing rivalry and emergence as the two leading stars of their generation has seen them compared to Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Alcaraz, 21, has already won four Grand Slam titles, while Sinner, 23, won his maiden major at this year’s Australian Open before adding his second at the US Open. The pair have faced off 10 times, with Alcaraz holding a 6-4 edge.
Nadal announced last week that he will call time on his glittering career after competing at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.
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The 38-year-old Spaniard’s retirement will leave Djokovic as the last man standing from the Big Three. Between them, the legendary trio led a golden tennis generation and dominated for much of the last 20 years.
Nadal, Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune are set to feature at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, which will begin today.
In an interview with DAZN ahead of the event in Saudi Arabia, Nadal gave his thoughts on Sinner and Alcaraz’s success.
“They are doing great. They are very young, they already are achieving amazing things, winning Grand Slams, winning Masters 1000s, creating great numbers out there and they are very young,” the former world No 1 said.
“Carlos, Jannik, especially these two guys are making a special thing, so I wish them all the very best to keep growing in all ways and they are already huge stars. And I’m sure if they are able to stay free of injuries, they’re gonna build an amazing career.
“I mean we need to wait, but of course this year, already two Grand Slams each other. No 1, No 2 in the world, so they are creating their own story.
“I mean, I think it’s not the moment to compare eras because Novak is still there. Roger and I, we left, we’re gonna leave soon, but that’s part of the sports career of everyone.
“So now, it’s new generation coming. We need to leave them [to] create their own rivalries and create their own story without — they don’t need the comparisons with us and let’s see at the end of their careers. Then going to be the moment to compare what they did, what we did.”
Nadal will face the winner of the match between Alcaraz and Rune in the semi-finals of the Six Kings Slam.
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