The Big Two have replaced the Big Three, and following the fabulous long run of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the top, it can safely be said that tennis is not going to lose its aura as one of the world’s most popular sports, says Partab Ramchand. It is safe in the hands of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and with both being in their early twenties, an extended battle for supremacy between them could well be the tour de force for many years to come, he says
It is incredible how tennis throws up outstanding new talent who in time become all-time greats. When Pete Sampras bowed out at the start of the New Millennium after having set the record of winning 14 Grand Slam singles titles, it appeared there would be a void at the top as there was no player capable of duplicating his stupendous feats, among them winning Wimbledon seven times. But then came along a Swiss genius who took over effortlessly at the top and charmed everyone with his graceful brand of tennis while winning several Majors. And when it appeared that tennis had a worthy successor to Sampras, along came a supreme athlete from Spain in Rafael Nadal to challenge Roger Federer and for some time their duel for supremacy was the stuff that dreams were made of. And even as the two were battling it out at the top, came a third to be ranked right up with them, a supremely fit player from Serbia – Novak Djokovic.
For nearly 20 years, the three presided over arguably the greatest phase in the history of the sport. They set records left, right and centre as each of the three great players tried to excel each other in quality of play and the winning of Grand Slam titles. Federer surpassed Sampras and finished with 20 such trophies. That seemed to be a benchmark that would stand the test of time. But it lasted only for a few years, as Nadal with his unmatchable record at Roland-Garros raised the bar to 22. And when it seemed that the Spaniard’s number would be impossible to go past, Djokovic went first one, then two better and now has the all-time record of 24. The remarkably fit Serb is still around at 38, as his two great compatriots have retired, but it is safe to say that he will not win another Grand Slam singles title despite his courageous showing at Roland-Garros this year where he made it to the semifinals.
But now, the field is open for Alcaraz and Sinner, and with all due respects to some of the others who are also very good players and have won Grand Slam events, between them it is clear that the duo from Spain and Italy will dominate the world of tennis for a long time to come. For one thing, Alcaraz is 22 and Sinner 23. Secondly, they are so far ahead of their rivals in records and reputation that it is futile to look beyond them as the twin masters who have it in them to rewrite tennis history. Then, there is their court craft, which puts them in a class of their own. If anything, their epic final in the just concluded French Open underlined that. It surely was one of the greatest matches in Grand Slam history, marked by a miraculous recovery from Alcaraz who came from two sets down to win the title, staving off four match points along the way.
Sinner, who is ranked world No. 1, has won three Grand Slam titles and Alcaraz ranked No. 2 has won five. More to the point: they have won the last six Grand Slams between themselves. They are well ahead of the third placed Alexander Zverev. And even if these are early days, it doesn’t need an expert to predict that they will add considerably to this tally in the years to come. They have age on their hands, their domination has just started and they have the game to be on top for an extended period. Indeed, their intense rivalry could whet the appetite of tennis fans worldwide but whether they will match the feats of the Big Three remains to be seen.
All the same, it is going to be a fascinating duel for supremacy. What makes it even more interesting is both have the game for all surfaces like their illustrious predecessors. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic won multiple titles at all four Grand Slams, being proficient on clay, grass or hard courts. Alcaraz and Sinner have already indicated that they are no less in this regard.
Alcaraz’s five victories include two Wimbledon titles, two French Open and a US Open title. Sinner’s trophies include two Australian Opens and a US Open title. Besides, he is a finalist at the French Open and a semifinalist at Wimbledon. Surely, the two have it in them to inscribe their names on the missing trophies and then keep on winning them multiple times. Really, the world is their oyster and one can only see these two prodigiously talented youngsters rewrite tennis history over an extended period. If there is a third who can join them at the top like it was in the case of the Big Three, that will make the scenario even more fascinating. But that does not look likely; so, for the moment it is Alcaraz and Sinner who have the tennis world at their feet.
(The writer is a veteran sports writer who spent his career working for The Indian Express and The Telegraph and Sportsworld. He lives in Chennai.)
from Webdoux