Jannik Sinner, dreaming never hurt anyone, quite the contrary. Unexpected statement makes fans’ eyes sparkle.
For the first time in a long time, none of the Big Three won a Slam. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz made a near-perfect split of the season’s majors: the first and last went to the South Tyrolean, the second and third to the Iberian. An unmistakable sign, proof that times have now officially changed and the new guard has taken hold.
Beware, though, because the last word is not yet spoken. There are many, especially among insiders, who think that Novak Djokovic still has a lot to say and that he may be more hostile during the coming season than he has been in the one that is drawing to a close. It could be, of course, just as it is likely that the two European champions will, soon enough, find themselves up against some opponent who, perhaps, has yet to emerge and explode.
Anything could happen, in short, because after all, all it takes is a little something to upset the balance. The winner of Wimbledon and Roland Garros, however, is happy as it is. He made this clear in recent days during the Laver Cup, when the press “grilled” him on his future prospects and rivalry with the world No. 1.
Alcaraz dreams big: Sinner is also involved
“I hope that our rivalry will be equal, or almost equal, to what the Big 3 have had throughout their careers,” said Carlitos, who has never made a secret of how much he loves playing against Sinner, regardless of the outcome.
“I hope to continue like this, sharing great moments, fighting for the big tournaments, the Grand Slams, the Masters 1000. If we stay at this level we will build a great rivalry and relationship even off the court. I hope he stays on the tour for a long time, because he pushes me to be a better player every day. He pushed me to practice 100 percent just to try to beat him in the next matches. It would be great to have that great rivalry that the Big 3 had in their careers.”
He has no big demands, Alcaraz. All he needs is to match the rivalry that existed between Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal, to give the audience the same thrills that the fans had a big taste of in the days of the Big 3. And nothing more. For it is precisely these eternal challenges, after all, that add a little salt and pepper to the sport.