By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 12, 2024
Photograph credit score: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Wimbledon—Huge 3 champions Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer transcend tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz is in a category by himself as hardest check in tennis, says Daniil Medvedev.
Extra: Alcaraz Advances to Second Wimbledon Last
In a rematch of the 2023 semifinal, Alcaraz defeated Medvedev 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 advancing to his second straight Wimbledon closing in type immediately.
Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz defeated Medvedev for the fifth time in seven conferences.
Requested afterward to match the 21-year-old Spanish celebrity to the long-lasting trio of Grand Slam champions, Medvedev stated Alcaraz might be the hardest opponent he is ever confronted.
That is an enormous endorsement from the previous world No. 1, who has confronted every of the Huge 3 and scored victories over each Djokovic and Nadal.
Why does Alcaraz pose greater issues than the Huge 3?
Medvedev says it is as a result of the third-ranked Spaniard is extra harmful from extra areas of the courtroom and may damage you enjoying offense, protection or in transition.
Briefly, Medvedev suggests Alcaraz is a extra full champion than the Huge 3, who’ve mixed for 66 Grand Slam championships as a result of “he can do all of it.”
“Carlos, I do not suppose he has something from them,” Medvedev stated after bowing to Alcaraz within the Wimbledon semifinals for the second straight 12 months. “It is completely different sport type. I believe the place Carlos is completely different from many gamers, all of us have a bit bit our preferences, somebody prefers protection, somebody prefers counterattack, somebody prefers to be tremendous aggressive.
“He can do all of it. He can typically slice, even unhealthy slice, after which run and attempt to win like this. Then once you hit him many instances, when guys do that, you may play with them. You possibly can hit them the simple shot again, they usually do not wish to assault, however that is not Carlos. Hit him simple shot, you understand it is over for you. That what makes it robust.
“Most likely in my profession he is hardest opponent I’ve confronted. However I’ve time, I’ve time to attempt to do higher.”
In the event you suppose that seems like hyperbole, think about how Medvedev assesses every Huge 3 champion’s strengths.
Eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer is 3-0 lifetime vs. Medvedev, profitable six of the seven units they confronted.
King of clay Rafael Nadal has gained 5 of six conferences vs. Medvedev, together with rallying for an epic five-set win within the 2022 Australian Open closing which got here three years after Nadal subdued the Russian in 5 units within the 2019 US Open closing.
Grand Slam king Djokovic has overwhelmed the person affectionately nicknamed “Meddy Bear”, 10 instances in 15 conferences. Although Medvedev famously shattered Djokovic’s calendar-year Grand Slam query with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 triumph within the 2021 US Open closing.
“The factor is I performed large three after they had been let’s name older, over 30. A bit completely different,” Medvedev stated. “They’re all completely different, all completely different in their very own manner, of their sport.
“So Roger performs on the road. Hits stunning approach pictures, goes to the web.
“Novak performs additionally on the road, however fully completely different. Superb protection, like pinball participant the place the ball comes so again quicker to you.
“Rafa, fully completely different. He can keep ten meters behind, however he’s going to run to each ball and banana shot, lefty. Carlos, I do not suppose he has something from them.”
A 12 months in the past, Djokovic stated he believes Alcaraz, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune, who’ve every defeated the 24-time Grand Slam king, will sometime create tennis’ new Huge 3.
“It is superb for our sport to have a champion like Alcaraz. And he is so younger,” Djokovic stated. “It is also refreshing to have one other nice rivalry that persons are captivated with, the one between him and Jannik Sinner.
“We noticed thrilling matches between them in Indian Wells and Miami. I am positive these two guys, together with Holger Rune, would be the leaders. It might be the subsequent Huge 3.”
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