Rafael Nadal Responds to Comparisons Between Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and the Big 3: ‘It’s Not the Time’

As the tennis world buzzes with anticipation ahead of the 2025 US Open men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal has weighed in on the inevitable comparisons between the young duo and the legendary Big 3—himself, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. In a thoughtful interview, the 22-time Grand Slam champion urged fans and pundits to let Alcaraz and Sinner forge their own paths, emphasizing that true evaluations can only come at the end of their careers.

Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in late 2024 after a storied career marked by epic rivalries with Federer and Djokovic, has transitioned into a role as a respected elder statesman of the sport. Now 39, he remains deeply connected to the game, serving as an ambassador for the Rafael Nadal Academy and occasionally commentating on major events. His perspective carries extra weight this week, as the US Open final pits two players he knows well: Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spaniard who trained under Nadal’s guidance, and Sinner, the 24-year-old Italian whom Nadal has faced three times without dropping a set.

The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner has captivated fans since their first meeting as teenagers in 2021, evolving into a series of high-stakes clashes that echo the intensity of the Big 3 era. They’ve met 15 times on the ATP Tour, splitting their Grand Slam finals—Alcaraz triumphed at the 2024 French Open and 2025 Wimbledon, while Sinner edged him at the 2025 Australian Open. Between them, they’ve claimed nine of the last 11 majors, drawing parallels to the dominance Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic exerted from 2003 to 2023. Yet, as their US Open showdown looms—potentially their fourth major final in 18 months—Nadal cautioned against premature judgments.

“It’s not the time to compare them to us,” Nadal told DAZN earlier this year, a sentiment he reiterated in a recent chat with The Athletic ahead of the New York spectacle. “We need to leave them to create their own rivalries and stories. They don’t need to be compared to us. Let’s see at the end of their careers. That will be the moment to compare what they did to what we did.” He praised their rapid ascent, noting, “These two guys especially, Carlos and Jannik, are making a special thing. I wish them all the very best to keep growing. They’re already huge stars. I’m sure if they’re able to stay free of injuries, they’re gonna build an amazing career.”

Nadal’s words come amid a chorus of voices debating the duo’s place in history. Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3, sparked controversy in July 2025 by claiming Alcaraz and Sinner “hit the ball harder” than the Big 3 ever did, crediting a faster, more physical evolution of the game. Mats Wilander, the seven-time major winner turned analyst, went further after Alcaraz’s epic China Open victory over Sinner in October 2024, declaring their matches superior in level to anything from Federer’s, Nadal’s, or Djokovic’s prime. Even Alcaraz himself acknowledged the shadow of the legends in a September 2025 interview, saying, “Jannik and I are battling for the No. 1 spot and Major titles… That’s what the Big 3 did for a long time.”

But Nadal, ever the voice of humility and perspective, sees the pressure these comparisons impose. He reflected on his own journey, where rivalries with Federer (24-16 head-to-head) and Djokovic (29-31) defined two decades, pushing each other to unprecedented heights—66 majors among them. “We never had time to relax,” he admitted to The Athletic, highlighting the relentless evolution required to stay atop. For Alcaraz and Sinner, who’ve already matched early-career benchmarks like Nadal’s 50-10 Grand Slam record at age 22 (Alcaraz) and Djokovic’s win trajectory (Sinner), the Spaniard offers encouragement over expectation.

Delving deeper into their styles, Nadal provided a masterclass analysis. On Sinner: “He puts a rhythm on the forehand that is very difficult to follow. He’s very quick on picking the ball early and he’s quick on the transition from defending to attacking.” For Alcaraz, he noted a flair for the spectacular: “Carlos is more magic, he’s more unpredictable, he can play at a level that probably sometimes Jannik cannot.” Yet, he subtly pointed to Alcaraz’s occasional vulnerability: “Sometimes he’s… [prone to errors in high-risk play],” underscoring the balance Sinner’s consistency provides in their duels.

As the sun sets on the Big 3—Federer retired in 2022, Nadal in 2024, and Djokovic, at 38, chasing a record-extending 25th major—Nadal’s endorsement feels like a passing of the torch. Both youngsters have paid homage to him: Alcaraz calls Nadal his “idol,” while Sinner treasures training sessions that revealed the champion’s work ethic off-court. Their 2025 French Open final, a five-set, 5-hour-29-minute marathon—the longest in Roland Garros history—drew Nadal’s praise as “unbelievable” and “super emotional.”

With the US Open final set for Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Alcaraz seeks his third crown and Sinner his second, Nadal’s message resonates: Let the rivalry breathe. In a sport where longevity tests legends, Alcaraz and Sinner have time on their side. As Nadal put it, “Tennis is in great hands.” Whether they eclipse the Big 3’s records remains to be seen, but under Nadal’s watchful eye, their story is just beginning.