Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have once again found themselves at the center of tennis’ biggest debate - how they stack up against the legendary Big 3. This time, the discussion exploded after Serena Williams’ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, made a bold claim on social media, only for Boris Becker to fire back sharply.

Mouratoglou, never one to shy away from strong opinions, recently shared a comment about the comparison of Alcaraz-Sinner with the Big 3. He said, "Thinking that Alcaraz and Sinner aren't better than the Big Three just because Novak beat Sinner at the Australian Open is a short-term view." His post quickly caught attention, and even Rafael Nadal couldn’t resist reacting, dropping a comment filled with laughing emojis: “🤭🫣🤣🤣🤣.”

Following Nadal’s playful response, Boris Becker stepped in with a far more direct rebuttal. The six-time Grand Slam champion openly dismissed Mouratoglou’s take, writing on social media, “Patrick, I think you’re alone with your opinion.” Becker’s blunt message reignited the long-running tension between two of tennis’ most outspoken voices, while also amplifying the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner versus Big 3 conversation.

This isn’t the first time Becker and Mouratoglou have clashed publicly. Back in October 2024, Mouratoglou sparked controversy by comparing Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - conspicuously leaving Rafael Nadal out of the analogy. Mouratoglou described Federer as “pure crazy talent,” like Messi, while labeling Djokovic a meticulous hard worker in the mold of Ronaldo. Becker immediately questioned the omission, asking simply, “What about Nadal?”

The pattern repeated again in August 2025, when Mouratoglou ranked his top five one-handed backhands of all time on Instagram. Placing Gustavo Kuerten fifth behind Gaston Gaudio and Richard Gasquet didn’t sit well with Becker. 

The German legend reacted in disbelief, pointing out that Kuerten won three French Open titles largely built around that very backhand, far more than Gaudio or Gasquet ever achieved. Once again, Becker wasn’t shy about calling out what he felt was flawed logic.

Now, that same dynamic is playing out in the debate surrounding Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Mouratoglou believes the new generation - led by Alcaraz and Sinner - has already reached, or even surpassed, the level of the Big 3 at similar stages. Becker, however, appears unconvinced, urging caution before placing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the same bracket as Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.

So where do Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner themselves stand on these comparisons? Both have consistently downplayed such debates, often expressing respect for the Big 3 and insisting they are still carving out their own paths. 

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s reaction to Big 3 comparisons

Carlos Alcaraz’s latest Australian Open triumph has reignited an unavoidable debate in men’s tennis - how close are Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to the legendary Big 3 of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic?

Carlos Alcaraz’s Melbourne title was historic on multiple fronts. The Spaniard became the youngest men’s singles player to complete a Career Grand Slam, surpassing Rafael Nadal’s long-standing record. Carlos Alcaraz also joined an elite club by becoming just the fourth man in ATP history to cross the 13,000-point mark, standing alongside Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. With a career-best 13,650 points, Carlos Alcaraz now sits more than 3,000 points clear of Jannik Sinner at world No. 2.

Despite the staggering numbers, even Carlos Alcaraz’s rise still trails the peak dominance of the Big 3. Novak Djokovic’s all-time record of 16,950 ATP points remains untouchable, while Roger Federer (15,495) and Rafael Nadal (15,390) also set benchmarks that dwarf today’s field. Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, ranks sixth all-time with a career-high of 12,030 points—an impressive figure, but one that highlights the gap that still exists.

Carlos Alcaraz has never hidden from the comparisons, but he has consistently approached them with humility. Back in February 2024, the Spaniard openly acknowledged the difference. “I don’t consider myself a crack,” Carlos Alcaraz said. “Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer are cracks… to be like that you have to be good at everything, and I still have a lot to improve.” Even while admitting his ambition, Carlos Alcaraz made it clear that he sees the Big 3 as a level he is still chasing, not one he has reached.

Ahead of the ATP event in Buenos Aires, Carlos Alcaraz doubled down on his long-term vision. “I dream big, and I want to be the best in history,” he said, identifying Novak Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles as the ultimate target. That mindset - fearless yet grounded - has become central to how Carlos Alcaraz frames his career trajectory. In a lighter moment, Carlos Alcaraz also revealed the traits he would “steal” from each member of the Big 3. Djokovic’s return, Federer’s serve, and Nadal’s forehand topped his list, underscoring how deeply he still studies the legends rather than seeing himself above them.

Jannik Sinner has been just as clear in rejecting premature comparisons. In March 2024, the Italian stressed that stats alone don’t tell the full story. “You cannot compare this with the best, with the Big 3 or Big 4,” Sinner said, emphasizing the longevity and sustained excellence that defined Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.

That stance hasn’t changed. After the Beijing final in October 2025, Jannik Sinner again dismissed any parallels. “I can’t compare myself to legends of that caliber,” he said, pointing to the Big 3’s ability to maintain an extraordinary level for over 15 years. Like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner framed his journey as one still in progress.

While fans and pundits continue to debate whether Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are redefining greatness, both players remain measured in their own assessments. For now, the message from tennis’s new standard-bearers is clear - the Big 3 comparisons are flattering, but the real challenge lies in sustaining excellence long enough to truly earn them.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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