Gustavo Kuerten claimed that the Big 3 kept raising the level of their game each year, which Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have yet to replicate.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at 2022 Laver Cup; Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Indian Wells 2024 (Images via Imago)
The Big 3 era ended this season after neither Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, nor Roger Federer won a Grand Slam for the first time since 2002. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have taken their place after sharing all four majors this season. But former World No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten claims it is too early to compare Alcaraz and Sinner to the Big 3.
Alcaraz and Sinner dominated the ATP 2024 season by winning a combined twelve titles on the Tour. They split the four Grand Slam titles between each other equally. Alcaraz won two major title to take his tally to four at just 21. He also claimed two other titles, one in Indian Wells and the other at the China Open.
World No. 1 Sinner won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and went on to win his second at the US Open. The Italian ended the season with a 73-6 win-loss record and won three Masters 1000 titles. However, the two youngsters have repeatedly been compared to Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
The Big 3 dominated the men’s tennis for over two decades but Djokovic remains the only player out of the three yet to hang his racket. Kuerten believes that it is too early to compare them with the current youngsters.
Federer retired from the sport in 2022, while Nadal hung his racket at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga this year. Djokovic, on the other hand, will kick off his 2025 campaign at the Brisbane International which starts on December 29.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have certainly carried the mantle to continue the legacy of the men’s tennis golden generation. The duo has been standout this year, while Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev have been lurking in their shadows. However, next season will be vital for Sinner and Alcaraz as they have to prove again that they can continue with the task.
During the aforementioned interview, Gustavo Kuerten revealed that Alcaraz and Sinner will have to build on the legacy of the Big 3. He added that they bring innovations into their game every season.
Neither Alcaraz nor Sinner will play in any warm-up event before the Australian Open, which starts on January 12. Sinner will be hoping to defend the Grand Slam title for the first time, while Alcaraz will aim to become the youngest man ever to complete the Career Grand Slam.
