Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have already established themselves as the best players on the ATP Tour by some distance.
It’s remarkable just how quickly the men’s game skipped from the dominance of the Big Three to this ongoing duopoly, with there barely even being a grace period to allow stars like Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz to truly challenge for a Grand Slam.
The speed at which this pair have risen to the top of the rankings deserves praise, buoyed by the fact that they have dominated nine of the last ten major titles between them.
At their current rate, they are set to surpass the Big Three that they have replaced.
Greg Rusedski will have only stoked these flames with his latest comments.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner compared against the Big Three
In an interview with Tennis365, the former British number one was effusive in his praise for the duo.
After all, his is an opinion that is hardly new, considering just how many have taken the time to laud Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
What do you think about Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to play in exhibition events?
However, perhaps most important is what he has heard from speaking to other top players, as he recalled: “Alcaraz exploded out and started winning right away, just like Rafael Nadal did. He has been amazing for the sport, and to already have six Grand Slam titles is an incredible number.
“Then you look at Sinner and the way he has used his skills as a skier to move around the court so effortlessly. I’ve never seen a player move like that before.
“You speak to other players, and they say they just strike the ball so hard on both sides. Alex de Minaur said they strike it even harder than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.”
Rusedski then added: “The Roland Garros final they played this year was one of the best matches we have ever seen, including anything we saw from the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic match-ups.
Carlos Alcaraz WILL complete the Career Grand Slam before Jannik Sinner – discuss…
“That tells you we are looking at two players here who are playing at another level, but whether they ever win as many titles as the ‘Big 3’, that’s a very different debate.
“You have to respect the longevity and the achievements of Roger, Rafa and Novak. Their records will be very tough to beat.”
Who are the closest challengers to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner?
Whilst there is a monumental gulf between Alcaraz and Sinner and the rest of the field, there are a handful of names that continue to get mentioned when wondering who might be able to challenge them.
Jack Draper is chief among them, although his persistent fitness issues leave many wondering when he will be fit enough to do so.
Ben Shelton is another with a similar claim, although he lacks the necessary consistency to trouble them over a five-set match in particular at the moment.
Who do you think will win more Grand Slam titles in 2026?
Recently, Felix Auger-Aliassime has re-established himself as a possibility, whilst there’s hope that the teenage superstar Joao Fonseca could soon flourish and turn this dominant duo into a new Big Three.
Rafael Nadal spoke about Joao Fonseca’s chances of challenging Alcaraz and Sinner recently, and he did not seem so optimistic.
