Rafael Nadal Laughs After Patrick Mouratoglou Calls Jannik Sinner ‘Better’ Player Than Novak Djokovic

In the Australian Open semifinal, Novak Djokovic registered his first win over Jannik Sinner after five consecutive defeats.

Rafael Nadal Laughs After Patrick Mouratoglou Calls Jannik Sinner ‘Better’ Player Than Novak Djokovic

L-R: Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Patrick Mouratoglou (circle), Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ, ESPN, Express Sport)

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The tennis world likes to indulge in discussions about which generation of tennis players played better. Mostly, they like to compare the current generation with that of the Big 3 era, dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

Federer and Nadal retired, and Djokovic, on his hunt for the 25th Major, reached a Grand Slam final for the first time since the 2024 Wimbledon. But once again, one of the current Big 2 of tennis ruined that dream.

After taking the first set off Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final, Djokovic lost three consecutive sets, which made the Spaniard the youngest man in the Open Era to achieve the Career Grand Slam milestone, breaking Nadal’s record.

But prior to scheduling the match against the now seven-time Major champion, Djokovic finally snapped his five-match losing streak against Jannik Sinner by downing him in the semifinals in five sets. Following the match, Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, then took to his Instagram to give his opinion on the match, saying the reason why Djokovic won the match is that he is the biggest competitor and not because he is a “better” player than Sinner.

For those who think that Djokovic beating Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open means that the Big 3 are playing better tennis than Alcaraz and Sinner, this is a very short view.

In those five consecutive defeats, Sinner clinched three wins in Grand Slam semifinals (2024 Australian Open, 2025 French Open, and 2025 Wimbledon). And about their latest match, Mouratoglou then said that Djokovic is “not a better tennis player than Sinner, but he is the biggest competitor in history, and he was better than Jannik Sinner in that match.“

Just remember, Sinner had won the five previous matches they played against each other. Just one match will not make me change my mind about what I’ve seen for the last two or three years. Jannik moves faster, hits harder, takes the ball earlier, and serves better than Novak. But Novak is the strongest mentally in tennis history, and that’s what made the difference. That’s what made his whole career.

Patrick Mouratoglou added

Check out the post here:

Nadal came across the clip, and he gave a rare public opinion. Without agreeing or disagreeing with the Frenchman’s views, what the 22-time Grand Slam champion did was drop a few emoticons, including three laughing ones, in the comment section.

Check out Nadal’s reaction here:

Rafael Nadal's comment
Rafael Nadal’s comment

Toni Nadal calls Alexander Zverev a better player than Novak Djokovic

Alexander Zverev had the chance to defeat Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal of the Australian Open. But after overcoming a two-set deficit, he failed to capitalize on the momentum and eventually lost after five hours and 27 minutes- also the longest semifinal in the history of the Melbourne Slam.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Image via X/Swish Tennis)

Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, thinks Zverev has a “mental problem” and an “obsession with winning”. During his interview with Radio Estadio, when he was asked who could challenge Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz, Toni said it’s Zverev.

So he’s a dangerous rival and, for me, he’s clearly better than Djokovic is today, but he lacks the…if he, if Zverev had won that match today, he probably would have won the final too. It would change him because it gives you extra confidence and takes away the pressure he has to win a Grand Slam.

Both Zverev and Alcaraz have pulled out of the Rotterdam Open. The 22-year-old is the defending champion in the indoor hard court tournament. Djokovic and Sinner are also not playing this week.

Also read: Novak Djokovic’s Ex-Coach Sends Warning to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner After Australian Open