‘Big Three’ a class apart

Former World No. 1 Carlos Moya doubts Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz can craft an era like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal ahead of French Open

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic dominated tennis for the best part of two decades, but it is debatable whether Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner can emulate that, Nadal’s former coach Carlos Moya told AFP before the start of the French Open here on Sunday.

World No.1 Sinner, 23, and the 22-year-old Alcaraz have garnered seven Grand Slam titles already between them. By comparison Nadal, Federer — both of whom have retired — and Djokovic, a trio known as the ‘Big Three’, swept up 66 titles from 2003 to 2023. 

“To achieve what these guys [Djokovic, Federer and Nadal] have been doing these last 15, 20 years, that’s something that I don’t know if we are going to see in the future,” Moya, a former World No. 1 and 1998 French Open champion, told AFP from Mallorca.

Carlos Alcaraz trains on the eve of the French Open on Saturday

Sinner and Alcaraz are already forming tennis’s next great rivalry, with the latter having won the most recent title contest between them at the Italian Open recently. The duo are also expected to be hot favourites for the French Open crown as Djokovic battles poor form heading into the tournament. 

However, Moya is doubtful whether Sinner and Alcaraz will be able to maintain their high standards like the ‘Big Three’ did in the past.

“I can tell that in the next couple of years, this rivalry is going to be there. But so many things can happen. Injuries and family problems. Mental health issues, you don’t know what’s going to happen in three, four, five years’ time,” said Moya, who will return to Roland Garros on Sunday as organisers pay tribute to record 14-time French Open singles champion Nadal.

Carlos Moya

The 48-year-old Spaniard said rivalry was key to the longevity of the sport’s three most successful men’s players of all time. “They pushed each other to the limit. Without the other guys, Rafa, maybe he would have retired four or five years ago with 16, 18 Grand Slams. He achieved a lot in his career, but he said he was in awe of that trio,” added Moya.

Sinner begins his campaign on Monday against local hope Arthur Rinderknech while Alcaraz faces Italy’s Julio Zeppieri. Meanwhile, Djokovic will take on USA’s Mackenzie McDonald to kick-start his tournament.

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