Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are dominating men’s tennis (Image: Getty)
Jack Draper’s coach Jamie Delgado believes Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have less direct competition than the big three of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. However, he claims the overall level of men’s professional tennis is currently higher.
Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men’s tennis over the past two years, with at least one of them winning every Grand Slam singles title since Djokovic won the 2023 US Open. The dominance of tennis’ big two has naturally drawn comparisons with the golden era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, who won 66 Slam’s between them across two decades, with only 38-year-old Djokovic still an active player.
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There have been some suggestions that Alcaraz and Sinner’s superiority surpasses that of the big three. One man who can offer a unique perspective is Delgado, having coached Andy Murray during the big three era before his current role with men’s British No.1 Draper at a time when Alcaraz and Sinner have taken over.
And the 49-year-old has explained to the Off Court with Greg podcast as to why there are differences between both eras. The British coach explains how the current top two do not have a Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, Stan Wawrinka or Thomas Berdych to challenge them, but the overall levels of men’s tennis is better.
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He said: “Jannik and Carlos are incredible players and I think they could mix it with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, for sure. I do think that in yesteryear, like 10 years ago or so, I think we had more challengers to those guys. I think the level was a bit higher in the time when Roger, Novak, Rafa and Andy Murray were at the top.
Djokovic, Federer and Nadal were part of a golden generation (Image: Getty)
“Just behind them, you had the likes of Juan Martin del Potro, [Stan] Wawrinka and Thomas Berdych. I think these guys were more of a threat to the those top four than some of the guys now. So in my opinion, I think the top 10, 15 were stronger before with better players, but I think the general level on the tour, a guy ranked 30 in the world, 40 in the world, 50 in the world, I think is better now.
“I can say that from a coach’s perspective, you know, the last few years with Grigor [Dimitorv], every match is really difficult. You know, I kind of feel that my player has to be on it from the first match. Every match is super tough.
“Whereas I don’t know if, know, 10, 15 years ago, I think sometimes the first round for the top guys was a bit more of a struggle in the park, I feel. So I think in the earlier rounds, you’ve got to be on it now. There’s no question about it, but come quarters and semis, I think there was more danger and a bit more quality before for the guys right at the top.”
Alcaraz and Sinner hold dominant records over their top 10 rivals, with Djokovic’s win over the latter stopping a fourth straight Grand Slam final between the pair in January’s Australian Open. The Serb, who went on to lose to Alcaraz Down Under, has recently admitted the pair have set a new standard in men’s tennis over the past few years.
Speaking before the tournament in Melbourne, he said: “I understand Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else. That’s a fact.
“But that doesn’t mean nobody else has a chance. I like my chances always.”
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