Rafael Nadal recently left a pertinent comment under a controversial Instagram post published by Patrick Mouratoglou.
Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, had claimed that Novak Djokovic’s win against Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open did not prove that the ‘Big Three’ played at a higher level than Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Who would win this legendary showdown?
Shortly after the post was published, Rafael Nadal left a comment with multiple laughing emojis, seemingly taking issue with Mouratoglou’s view on the matter.
On Tuesday, Nadal clarified his stance on the matter, describing Mouratoglou’s argument as ‘wrong.’
Rafael Nadal says Patrick Mouratoglou is wrong about his Novak Djokovic comments
In a recent Instagram post, Mouratoglou said: “For those who think Djokovic’s win over Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals means the big three plays better tennis than Alcaraz and Sinner: that’s a far too simplistic view,”
“Jannik is faster, hits harder, takes the ball earlier, and serves better than Novak. Novak has the strongest mentality in tennis history, and that’s what made the difference.”
“Novak isn’t a better tennis player than Sinner, but he is the greatest competitor in history, and he was better than Jannik Sinner in that match.”
In an interview with ESPN, Nadal responded to those comments by saying: “I don’t see the controversy. I don’t want to generate controversy, but the point is that the analysis of that gentleman is wrong.
“Because it’s as if you analyse today’s [Lionel] Messi with the Messi who played in Barça or the Cristiano Ronaldo who plays today with the one he played in Real Madrid, this is simply my point of view.”
“In the end, everyone makes their own career and I never said that some are better than others, the career of each one will mark who has been better, and all are great ambassadors for our sport.
“And I think we have to be happy to have someone like Novak, who is still up there after so many years on the circuit.
“Having Carlos (Alcaraz) is a blessing, because he is a great player who represents us all over the world.
“And on top of that he is taking tennis to an incredible level and I think we can only enjoy and appreciate it, that’s all.”
Nadal, who won 22 Grand Slams during his career, retired from his playing career in 2024 following his participation in the Davis Cup Finals.
Roger Federer, Nadal’s rival and good friend, retired two years earlier at the Laver Cup.
Novak Djokovic, a winner of 24 majors, is still competing on the Tour at 38 years old and recently made the Australian Open final.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, aged 22 and 23, have won four and seven Grand Slam titles respectively.
Which member of the ‘Big Three’ is Carlos Alcaraz most similar to? Let us know why below👇
How many Slams will Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner win?
Without a third challenger, it seems likely that both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will win upwards of 15 Grand Slams each.
While Mouratoglou may be wrong in his comparisons to the big three, he is right about one thing: these are two of the greatest talents the sport of tennis has ever witnessed.
Of course, winning upwards of 15 Slams is easier said than done. Both players must stay healthy over the next decade if they want to achieve that feat.
If either player wishes to usurp Novak Djokovic’s total of 24 Grand Slam titles, they will likely need to win Grand Slams consistently over the next 15 years.
