Tennis Legend Praises Carlos Alcaraz: 'A Mix of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz is the young tennis sensation from Spain after Rafael Nadal. He is being called one of the modern greats, along with Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. In tennis, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic were considered the ‘Big Three’.

These three players dominated for more than two decades. Each member has won more than 20 Grand Slam titles, with Djokovic topping the chart with 24 Grand Slams. They also spent 947 weeks at No. 1, with Novak leading at 428 weeks, Federer 310 weeks, and Rafa 209 weeks. From 2004 to 2023, at least one player from the ‘Big Three’ has finished the year in Number 1, only missing 2016 and 2022.

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They also played 60 Grand Slam finals during their tenure in the sport. The Big Three were dominant, and at the same time, they had the endurance to play against young tennis players and defeated them many times. Only Novak Djokovic is left in the ‘Big Three’ as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have announced retirement from the sport. Before the Big Three came into tennis, there was another legend dominating the sport all by himself. Andre Agassi, the US tennis legend, has won 8 Grand Slams, a Golden Slam, and a Super Slam winner. 

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Alcaraz is a mix

Andre Agassi says Carlos Alcaraz has the power of Nadal, the defense of Djokovic, & the finesse of Federer, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be able to accomplish what they accomplished:

“Alcaraz defends like Novak [Djokovic], has power and spin like [Rafael] Nadal, and has hands and… pic.twitter.com/Wj7gto5j5B

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 12, 2024

The legend has now said Carlos Alcaraz is a ‘Mix of the Big Three’ in tennis. Agassi says, “Alcaraz defends like Novak Djokovic, has power and spin like Rafael Nadal, and has hands and fitness like Roger Federer. But just because he has the best of all three doesn't mean he can do what they did. Decision-making, injuries, and luck… there are so many things.”

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic's dominance in the sport can't be matched by any player. They had all the fitness, power, talent, and technique. But time will say whether people like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev could match the big three.

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