“Setting the stage for great tennis ahead”, Jim Courier counting on Novak Djokovic having epic clashes with the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz setting the stage for great tennis ahead believe Jim Courier and Mark Petchey..
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The semi-final clash between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in Miami Open 2023 is a reaffirmation that high-quality tennis is here to stay despite the Big 4 rivalry gradually fading away. In the post-match discussion of this epic clash, former American player Jim Courier and Britain’s Mark Petchey seemed very fulfilled with what they had seen.
Reminiscing the five-set battle between Alcaraz and Sinner in the 2022 U.S. Open Quarterfinal, they spoke very optimistically about the future of tennis. Analyzing the match both former players felt that these young players move better at the back of the court when compared to the Big 4. But both were quick to add that Novak Djokovic should still be considered one of the best movers on the court.
Courier said that “Looking forward to seeing Novak engage with this younger generation as they have improved” on Tennis Channel. He further added, “It was a thrill ride, which it usually is when these 2 engage on the court. We as Tennis fans are lucky to have that to continue to look forward to.”
Agreeing with Courier, Petchey went on to add that “We thought that there is going to be this vacuum as the Big 4 started raging against the light in their respective careers. But here we have a couple of players that have elevated our perspective of the sport.”
The future is ripe after witnessing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic was not allowed to compete in The Sunshine Double as he failed to get a COVID-19 vaccination exemption. But it seems this will be the last of such bans for Djokovic. He will most likely get to play in this year’s U.S. Open as COVID-19 entry regulations are set to be lifted in May. Courier said that “This (Miami Open 2023) should be the last tournament that these players (Djokovic and the younger generation) will not be able to meet due to those kind of reasons.”
This essentially translates that tennis fans are going to see more nail-biters between Novak and the younger generation. Djokovic’s resilience and precision will be put to test, as he encounters these players on almost all courts. Courier said that he is hoping to see Rafael Nadal make a comeback in the upcoming French Open. But he was quick to add praise for the young pack saying, “They are setting the stage for some great tennis ahead even with those guys gone(Nadal and Djokovic)”.
With the clay season about to begin in the coming weeks, the change of surface and a full house of all top players would only make things interesting. Stan Wawrinka‘s title in the 2015 French Open was the last time a man won the Roland Garros and was not named Nadal or Djokovic. With a lot of action coming up in the Golden Swing, tennis fans are tightly seated to enjoy their beloved sport.
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Sarthak Shitole
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