Carlos Alcaraz responds when asked if he would beat Roger Federer Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in their primes

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Carlos Alcaraz has played two members of the ‘big three’ in his career, having faced both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz met Nadal on three separate occasions at tour-level events and won their final clash at the 2022 Madrid Open.

The 22-year-old has gone toe-to-toe with Djokovic nine times, including two Wimbledon finals and the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Though Alcaraz‘s career briefly overlapped with Roger Federer, the two stars never played out the dream matchup prior to the Swiss legend’s retirement in 2022.

While he has had success against both Nadal and Djokovic, his victories against them were earned late in their careers.

Recently, Alcaraz delivered his verdict on whether he could beat each of the ‘big three’ during their prime years on the ATP Tour.

Carlos Alcaraz says if he could beat the ‘big three’ in their primes

When asked in an interview with ‘El Partidazo de Cope’ who would win between prime Federer and himself in a Wimbledon final, Alcaraz responded: “They are different eras, but I would say Federer.”

Against prime Djokovic in an Australian Open final, the Spaniard said: “I haven’t reached my prime yet, so I don’t know how far my prime can go.

“At the level I’ve reached on fast courts today, I’d say that might be Djokovic’s prime in 2015 to 2016; Especially 2015, I think.”

Finally, deciding who would emerge victorious out of him and prime Nadal in a Roland Garros final, he replied: “I think Rafa without a doubt.

“I’ve told my team many times that I would have loved to be there in each of their prime years and be able to face them and really experience what the players experienced and felt when they stood in front of them. It wasn’t meant to be.”

Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Alcaraz’s rivalry with Djokovic has been one of the most compelling battles in recent years, with the head-to-head currently 5-4 in favour of the Serb.

In both Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz came out on top, but Djokovic won their bout at last year’s Olympics to clinch the gold medal that had eluded him for his entire career.

Against Nadal, Alcaraz lost their first two meetings, which came at the 2021 Madrid Open and the 2022 Indian Wells Open.

Then, in the Spanish capital, Alcaraz triumphed over his compatriot in three sets to advance to the semifinals of the 2022 Madrid Open, which he ultimately went on to win.