By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 12, 2024
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Wimbledon—Big 3 champions Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer transcend tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz is in a class by himself as toughest test in tennis, says Daniil Medvedev.
More: Alcaraz Advances to Second Wimbledon Final
In a rematch of the 2023 semifinal, Alcaraz defeated Medvedev 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 advancing to his second straight Wimbledon final in style today.
Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz defeated Medvedev for the fifth time in seven meetings.
Asked afterward to compare the 21-year-old Spanish superstar to the iconic trio of Grand Slam champions, Medvedev said Alcaraz is probably the toughest opponent he’s ever faced.
That’s a massive endorsement from the former world No. 1, who has faced each of the Big 3 and scored victories over both Djokovic and Nadal.
Why does Alcaraz pose bigger problems than the Big 3?
Medvedev says it’s because the third-ranked Spaniard is more dangerous from more areas of the court and can hurt you playing offense, defense or in transition.
In short, Medvedev suggests Alcaraz is a more complete champion than the Big 3, who have combined for 66 Grand Slam championships because “he can do it all.”
“Carlos, I don’t think he has anything from them,” Medvedev said after bowing to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon semifinals for the second straight year. “It’s different game style. I think where Carlos is different from many players, we all have a little bit our preferences, someone prefers defense, someone prefers counterattack, someone prefers to be super aggressive.
“He can do all of it. He can sometimes slice, even bad slice, and then run and try to win like this. Then when you hit him many times, when guys do this, you can play with them. You can hit them the easy shot back, and they don’t want to attack, but that’s not Carlos. Hit him easy shot, you know it’s over for you. That what makes it tough.
“Probably in my career he’s toughest opponent I have faced. But I have time, I have time to try to do better.”
If you think that sounds like hyperbole, consider how Medvedev assesses each Big 3 champion’s strengths.
Eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer is 3-0 lifetime vs. Medvedev, winning six of the seven sets they faced.
King of clay Rafael Nadal has won five of six meetings vs. Medvedev, including rallying for an epic five-set win in the 2022 Australian Open final which came three years after Nadal subdued the Russian in five sets in the 2019 US Open final.
Grand Slam king Djokovic has beaten the man affectionately nicknamed “Meddy Bear”, 10 times in 15 meetings. Though Medvedev famously shattered Djokovic’s calendar-year Grand Slam question with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 triumph in the 2021 US Open final.
“The thing is I played big three when they were let’s call older, over 30. A bit different,” Medvedev said. “They’re all different, all different in their own way, in their game.
“So Roger plays on the line. Hits beautiful technique shots, goes to the net.
“Novak plays also on the line, but completely different. Amazing defense, like pinball player where the ball comes so back faster to you.
“Rafa, completely different. He can stay ten meters behind, but he is going to run to every ball and banana shot, lefty. Carlos, I don’t think he has anything from them.”
A year ago, Djokovic said he believes Alcaraz, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune, who have each defeated the 24-time Grand Slam king, will someday create tennis’ new Big 3.
“It’s amazing for our sport to have a champion like Alcaraz. And he’s so young,” Djokovic said. “It’s also refreshing to have another great rivalry that people are passionate about, the one between him and Jannik Sinner.
“We saw exciting matches between them in Indian Wells and Miami. I’m sure those two guys, along with Holger Rune, will be the leaders. It may be the next Big 3.”