Boris Becker completely disagrees with what Toni Nadal has said about the current state of tennis

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Toni Nadal believes tennis isn’t the sport it once was…

The Spanish coaching legend had this to say about modern tennis during a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“There are almost no tactical players anymore who try to build [points],” said Nadal.

“Today it is often just a race to see who hits hardest.”

Nadal believes the serve is becoming too dominant, thus affecting the quality of the game, although not everyone agrees.

Weighing in with his thoughts, Boris Becker argued that tennis is in a better place today than ever before.

Boris Becker disagrees with Toni Nadal and says tennis is experiencing a ‘global boom’

Also speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Becker explained why he disagreed with Nadal.

“I have a lot of respect for Toni [Nadal], but I disagree with this. I think tennis is experiencing a global boom: it’s never been as popular as it is now,” he said.

“That’s thanks to [Roger] Federer, [Rafael] Nadal, and [Novak] Djokovic: those three have taken tennis to another level.

“[Carlos] Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner are keeping it up there.”

Becker would, however, like to see someone challenge the world’s number one and two.

“What I’d like to see next year is a few more players win Slams,” he said.

“So far, it’s been almost exclusively Jannik and Carlos, and that says a lot about them, but it would be nice to see others enter the winners’ circle.”

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s Grand Slam streak

• 2024 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2024 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2024 Wimbledon – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2024 US Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 Australian Open – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 French Open – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2025 Wimbledon – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 US Open – Carlos Alcaraz

Becker wants some variety at the top of men’s tennis, but who did he pick to end Sinner and Alcaraz’s dominant streak?

Boris Becker names five players who could win Grand Slams

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Becker picked his countryman as a potential challenger for Alcaraz and Sinner.

“I hope Sascha Zverev can win at least one Grand Slam before the end of his career,” said Becker.

“He has the talent to do it.”

Alexander Zverev is a three-time Grand Slam finalist, but having lost all three, he has yet to lift a major trophy.

Alexander Zverev’s record in Grand Slam finals

• 2020 US Open F – Lost to Dominic Thiem in five sets
• 2024 French Open F – Lost to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets
• 2025 Australian Open F – Lost to Jannik Sinner in three sets

Becker proceeded to name four more players with Grand Slam-winning potential.

“Then we’ll have to wait for the next generation,” he said.

“I’m thinking of guys like Joao Fonseca, an Italian like Lorenzo Musetti, Jack Draper if he’s healthy, Ben Shelton…

“I think they’re still a bit far from that level, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win a major in the future.”

Becker believes the likes of Joao Fonseca, Lorenzo Musetti, Jack Draper, and Ben Shelton could one day win a major, but how have they performed at the Grand Slam level so far?

Joao Fonseca, Lorenzo Musetti, Jack Draper, and Ben Shelton’s Grand Slam records

Only time will tell if any of the above can win a Grand Slam in 2026, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for.

The 2026 Grand Slam season begins in Melbourne, when the Australian Open starts on Monday, January 12.