Goran Ivanisevic names player who can threaten Carlos Alcaraz and ‘dinosaur’ Novak Djokovic at US Open
Goran Ivanisevic has played down talk of the change of generation taking place in tennis while he also briefly revealed who will be Carlos Alcaraz’s biggest challengers at the US Open.
Many tennis pundits, commentators, fans and former players believe the emergence of Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner over the past few years signals that the sport is moving on from the Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer era.
The Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have dominated tennis for the past two decades as they have won all there is to win, leaving the chasing pack to fight over the scraps.
With Federer retiring last year and Djokovic and Nadal also in the final few years of their careers, the rise of Alcaraz, Rune and Sinner has given hope that there are genuine contenders to lead the sport in the years to come.
2001 Wimbledon winner Ivansevic, who has coached Djokovic since 2019, dismissed talk of a new Big Three in the sport though as he explained that the “change” started several years ago.
“Those stories are already a bit ‘stupid’,” he told Sportske Novosti. “The change of generation has been going on for six or seven years. If we look at Medvedev, [Andrey] Rublev, [Karen] Khachanov, [Denis] Shapovalov, Felix [Auger-Aliassime], Sinner, Alcaraz, [Holger] Rune… Alcaraz has been here for two years, but, let’s say, Medvedev has been here for five or six years, he is 27 years old. They are not from yesterday.”
Of course, Alcaraz is considered a phenomenon and in a category by himself and the Croatian joked Djokovic is the only “dinosaur” in the current group.
Ivanisevic continued: “Alcaraz is a story by himself, and Sinner is the only one who can threaten him at the US Open, along with Novak. The game that Sinner has doesn’t match Alcaraz and they have had very interesting matches so far.
“Also, if Medvedev plays well on the day, he is also a phenomenal player for me. Novak remains the only ‘dinosaur’ among those older ones, the rest are all young guys. It’s a normal sequence, but there’s still something to ask the elders.”
There was more praise for the 20-year-old Alcaraz, who has won two Grand Slams before his 21st birthday as the Spaniard won the US Open last year and Wimbledon earlier in July.
“As a person he is phenomenal, and as a player I won’t even talk, it’s a miracle. The energy he brings to the court, the way he plays… He’s always smiling, even when he loses, it’s amazing,” the Croatian said.
Ivanisevic was also asked if anyone can threaten 23-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic.
“Kudos to everyone, but only one player can get it, and that’s Carlos Alcaraz,” he answered.
As for the Alcaraz and Sinner rivalry, Ivanisevic says the Italian along with Djokovic are the only ones who can go toe-to-toe with the Alcaraz.
“Yes, it will be an interesting rivalry. Each of their matches is tense,” he said. “There is no one who can stay in a long match with Alcaraz except Sinner and Djokovic. Those who cannot stay for long at Alcaraz’s pace can immediately pack their rackets and go home.”
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