Eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors has claimed that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could have taken on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal during their prime years.
Connors, known for his candid opinions, believes that the dominance displayed by Alcaraz and Sinner in recent times indicates a level of play that could have challenged the legendary careers of Federer and Nadal.
Speaking on his “Advantage Connors” podcast, the American icon said: “What I like is that the two guys, Sinner and Alcaraz, they know that that is their time. Even if Nadal and Federer and were still around too, they would want to say, ‘Move over, boys.’ I like that,” he said.
Connors continued: “They have raised their game to that level. The other guys out there playing, they didn’t do that. They were waiting around for them to retire or something to happen and say, ‘Oh, it’s my turn now.’ Well, maybe it’s not. But these two guys, they are head and shoulders [above the rest].”
The 2025 tennis season has been marked by the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner, who have consistently outperformed their peers in several tournaments. Alcaraz, for instance, captured the US Open in 2022 and this year, and has shown remarkable consistency on hard courts.
Sinner has impressed with his composure and technical precision on various surfaces. Their performances have led some, including Connors, to speculate about their potential to surpass the achievements of the Big Three.
The Big Three’s incredible dominance
While the talent of Alcaraz and Sinner is undeniable, a closer look at the statistics offers a more measured perspective.
Nadal claimed 22 Grand Slam titles before his retirement in 2024, while Federer finished his career with 20. Novak Djokovic adds another 24 to the tally, making the trio collectively one of the most dominant in tennis history.
In comparison, Alcaraz and Sinner are still in the early stages of their careers, with the Spaniard collecting six Grand Slam titles and Sinner celebrating two of his own.
Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have also spent significant time at the world No. 1 ranking-Federer for 310 weeks, Nadal for 209 weeks, and Djokovic for over 400 weeks. The cumulative dominance and longevity of the Big Three highlight not just talent but consistency at the highest level over nearly two decades.
Alcaraz, at 22, and Sinner, at 24, have years ahead to achieve similar milestones, but they still have a long way to go before matching these historic benchmarks.
A rivalry unmatched
Head-to-head experience is another factor. Federer and Nadal famously had one of the most celebrated rivalries in tennis history, facing each other 40 times with Nadal leading 24-16.
Djokovic dominated both Federer and Nadal in critical Grand Slam finals, emphasizing the trio’s mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure. Alcaraz and Sinner, while talented, have yet to face the same type of prolonged, high-stakes rivalry over multiple surfaces and decades, although they have won the last eight Grand Slams between them.
Connors’ assertion that Alcaraz and Sinner could have matched or surpassed Federer and Nadal in their prime highlights the excitement surrounding today’s young stars, but they still have a long way to go.
While Alcaraz and Sinner may define the next era, the Big Three’s records and longevity remain a formidable benchmark, proving that while talent can forecast potential, historic achievement requires years of sustained excellence.
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