“Not my idols…,” ATP pro makes honest admission about Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz challenge after facing each member of Big 3

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have lifted a combined seven Majors, are considered the future of tennis following the Big 3 era.

“Not my idols…,” ATP pro makes honest admission about Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz challenge after facing each member of Big 3

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via X)

Felix Auger-Aliassime is one of those players who have locked horns with each member of the Big 3 (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic). He made his debut in 2017, the year the Big 3 shared the four Grand Slam titles between them.

He met the Big 3 at least once. And when they reached the twilight of their respective careers and retired (except Djokovic), the tennis world saw the youngsters, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner emerging as the leaders of the next generation of tennis players, both of who are younger than Auger-Aliassime.

YouTube video

It’s different. Rafa, Roger, Novak were idols of mine growing up. These guys [Alcaraz and Sinner], I have a ton of respect for them and they’re unbelievable players, but they’re not my idols in a way. They’re my rivals, my competitors, and they’re good guys too. So it’s good for the sport.

Felix Auger-Aliassime told Arab News after his match against Alexander Bublik

The clash with the Kazakh ace took two hours and 49 minutes to conclude. Auger-Aliassime clinched the win 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 6-3 but not without some drama. As he claimed a ball kid hindered his return, he called for a video replay during the first set as the point was awarded to Bublik but it led to some heated exchange of words.

FS Video

Taylor Fritz reveals strategies to beat Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Taylor Fritz is currently out of action because of his abdominal injury which has forced him to pull out of the Mexico Open. The American, ranked No.4, progressed to his first Grand Slam final in last year’s US Open but fell to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Images via X)

It was one of his four defeats to the World No.1 in their five meetings. While he has beat Sinner once, against Carlos Alcaraz, the 27-year-old has a 0-2 record. Because Sinner and Alcaraz’s games are different from each other, Fritz has to employ different strategies whenever he faces these Grand Slam champions.

Someone like Carlos, backhand-to-backhand’s a bit better for me. With Jannik? Definitely mix up the patterns a bit more, maybe work with my forehand a bit more. A lot of it depends on how fast the court is, how fast the conditions are if taking those risks is worth it or not.

Taylor Fritz told Tennis Connected

Alcaraz and Sinner too are not participating in any ongoing tournaments. The Spaniard is preparing for the Indian Wells following his Qatar Open quarterfinal exit, while Sinner is serving his three-month doping suspension.