Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are “not yet at the same level” as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are “not yet at the same level” as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Marin Cilic says Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are “not yet at the same level” as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer in a noteworthy area.
Many consider Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer to be the three greatest players in the history of men’s tennis. The top three men’s Grand Slam winners are Djokovic (24th), Nadal (22nd) and Federer (20th).
From Federer’s first major win at Wimbledon in 2003 to Djokovic’s most recent victory at the 2023 US Open, the Big Three have won 66 of the 81 majors. Alcaraz and Sinner are two of the biggest stars of their generation and have shared four Grand Slam titles between them this year.
Sinner won his first major title at the 2024 Australian Open before adding the US Open title, while Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon crowns for a total of four. The two are the only ATP players born after 1996 to win a Grand Slam title, while 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev, 28, becomes the second-youngest men’s champion.
Speaking at the ATP 250 event in Belgrade, Cilic said mental preparation was the trait that separated the big three from Sinner and Alcaraz.
“Novak and Rafa have a similar mentality, from the first ball of the match they can go straight home and say goodbye to everyone,” said the 2014 US Open champion.
“You have to be mentally prepared to play from the first frame. Because once you get into a rhythm, there’s no going back.
“Roger’s case, on the other hand, was completely different. He always served fantastically, played aggressively, and managed to change the tempo and the game.
“When I compare them to the younger players Sinner and Alcaraz, it is clear that Jannik and Carlos are not yet at the same level of mental preparation as Novak, Roger, and Rafa.”
Cilic made history at the ATP 250 event in Hangzhou in September when he became the lowest-ranked player [777th in the world] to win an ATP title. The 36-year-old Croatian, who returned from injury last August, is currently ranked 196.
The Former world No. 3 has two wins against Djokovic and Nadal, defeating Federer for the first time en route to his first major singles title at the 2014 US Open.
