“We cannot compare ourselves at all yet,” Holger Rune optimistic about forming the next ‘Big 3’ with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Holger Rune hopes to elevate his tennis career like Alcaraz and Sinner.

“We cannot compare ourselves at all yet,” Holger Rune optimistic about forming the next ‘Big 3’ with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

L-R: Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (via Imago)

World No. 15 Holger Rune is hopeful of competing for major honors alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, potentially forming the new ‘Big 3’. Currently, Alcaraz and Sinner hold three of the Grand Slam titles.

The Big 3 (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic) created arguably the most dominant era of men’s tennis. The three tennis legends won 66 Grand Slam titles between them and remained World No. 1 for almost 1,000 weeks combined.

YouTube video
We [Alcaraz, Sinner, and Rune] cannot compare ourselves at all yet to Novak, Rafa, and Roger. But the fact that people are starting to talk about the Next Big 3 is exciting. It’s what makes tennis bigger, exciting. Rivalries are very important.
Holger Rune said in an interview with the Telegraph

As of now, Alcaraz and Sinner have four Grand Slam titles between them. The duo faced each other in a sensational five-set match last month in the Roland Garros semi-final, which the Spaniard won in five sets. Moreover, they have each won a Grand Slam and a Masters 1000 title in 2024.

FS Video

Regarding Rune, his biggest moment came in Bercy in 2022, when he beat Djokovic in three sets to win his first Masters 1000 title. However, he is yet to make a breakthrough in Grand Slam events, having reached three quarter-finals so far in his career.

It’s interesting to have all characters, that’s why hopefully they’ll be calling us the next Big Three. I’m myself, and I’m happy to be me. I’ve just got to believe in what I’m doing now and trust the process.
Holger Rune added

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner confirm their spots in the Wimbledon second round

Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, and top seed, Jannik Sinner, advanced to the second round of Wimbledon on Monday. Alcaraz beat Mark Lajal, a qualifier from Estonia ranked 269th, with scoreline reading of 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-2. He had to recover from breaks in the first two sets.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (via Imago)

At 21, Alcaraz is aiming for his fourth Grand Slam title. He hopes to become the sixth man to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. Lajal’s journey has been remarkable, too. Just a year ago, he lost in the first round of a second-tier Challenger event in the United States, earning only $780. On Monday, he earned $75,000.

Sinner faced some challenges but managed to defeat Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. His next match will be against fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 finalist.

Both Sinner and Alcaraz are in the same half of the Wimbledon draw. They are expected to face each other in the semi-finals. It could be a rematch of their French Open semi-final, where Alcaraz won in five sets.

In case you missed it!