Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are still in the early stages of their career, but are already being compared by many to the ‘big three’ of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, recently weighed in on Sinner and Alcaraz, claiming ‘the big three would not have become the big three’ if they were in their era.
The ‘new two’, as they have been dubbed, dominated the ATP Tour in 2025 and look set to do the same again in 2026.
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With six and four Grand Slam titles to their names respectively, Alcaraz and Sinner are on track to match the major tallies of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
Though there is still plenty left to see from the Spaniard and the Italian, British number one Jack Draper thinks they are operating at a similar level to the ‘big three’.
Jack Draper discusses Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
When asked in an interview with the ‘Tennis Mentor‘ whether Sinner and Alcaraz are capable of beating prime Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, Draper said: “I mean, I think it’s tough.
“Because those guys have got so much experience and they’ve done it for so many years and they’ve been so consistent, and you can’t match them to those guys just yet.
“But I think from a purely tennis perspective, and what they’re doing on the court, I think some of their top level has been as good as those guys in their prime.
“So I think they’ve probably got a long way to go to be like, in with that sort of crowd because they’ve achieved so much, but at the same time their tennis is, you know, I think everyone would agree that it’s out of this world.”
Draper has beaten both Sinner and Alcaraz before at tour-level events, with two victories recorded over the world number one.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s results against the ‘big three’
Neither Alcaraz nor Sinner ever played Federer on the ATP Tour, but both have come up against Nadal and Djokovic.
Sinner faced Nadal three times, and lost on all three occasions, suffering two of the defeats to the 22-time major champion at Roland Garros.
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Against Djokovic, Sinner is currently on a five-match win streak, and leads the Serb 6-4 in their head-to-head.
Alcaraz has beaten both Nadal and Djokovic, having clinched the win in his third and final meeting with his compatriot at the 2022 Madrid Open.
He and Djokovic have delivered one of the best rivalries in recent memory over the last few years, but Alcaraz trails 4-5 in the head-to-head.
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