Tennis-Alcaraz, Sinner would benefit from new Big Three, McEnroe says
(Reuters) -The emergence of a third young star to challenge the supremacy of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner would push the duo's already scintillating rivalry to new heights, tennis great John McEnroe said.
Alcaraz and Sinner are coming off a French Open final for the ages and head into next week's Wimbledon having evenly split the last six majors between them.
"It's going to be an interesting time to see if there's another player or two who can break in with those two the way Novak (Djokovic) did when he was trying to get to the same level as Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal)," McEnroe told reporters on Wednesday.
"It shows you what type of a player he was that he was able to do that. But right now, there's a void."
Djokovic, Federer and Nadal enjoyed a two-decade stranglehold on men's tennis and their era of dominance was made even richer by the three-sided nature of the rivalry.
In a Roland Garros showdown of unsurpassed quality, 22-year-old Alcaraz of Spain saved three successive match points to battle back from two sets down and beat the Italian in the longest French Open final in history.
Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik, 19, and 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca are two teenagers McEnroe could envision breaking into the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry, as well as big-serving American Ben Shelton.
"One of those two guys or Ben would be my choice right now," said seven-time Grand Slam champion McEnroe.
"I think it would be important to get another guy or two to add to the mix. That would be really helpful."
McEnroe said the future of men's tennis is in great hands provided Alcaraz, who is seeking a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles next month, and world number one Sinner stay healthy.
"It was unheard of what we watched over the last 20 years and you can make the argument that what we're seeing now is even faster and different from what we saw even five years ago," he said.
"I can't wait to see what it's going to be like in 10 years, or five years even."
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los AngelesEditing by Toby Davis)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Gymnastics-Italy withdraw from World University Games after gymnast seriously injured in fall
(Reuters) -Italy have withdrawn from the rest of the World University Games in Essen, Germany, after gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli suffered a fall during his routine, sustaining a serious neck injury that required surgery, news agency ANSA reported on Friday. Bonicelli, 23, was rushed to a nearby hospital after receiving immediate assistance from on-site health officials, the Italian Gymnastics Federation (FGI) said in a statement. "During the men's artistic gymnastics team competition... Italian Lorenzo Bonicelli had a bad fall from the rings in the third rotation, sustaining an injury," the FGI said on Wednesday. Italy have withdrawn from the competition due to the emotional impact the incident had on the rest of the team, ANSA reported. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru)
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Barcelona cancels Japan pre-season match
BARCELONA cancelled their pre-season friendly against Japanese side Vissel Kobe on Wednesday, citing 'serious contractual breaches' by the tour promoter and suggested they may have to scrap upcoming fixtures in South Korea. The Catalan giants were set to play their first game in Kobe against the J-League team retired former Barca star Andres Iniesta also played for on Sunday. 'Barcelona announces that it has been obliged to suspend its participation in the game scheduled for next Sunday in Japan due to serious contractual breaches on behalf of the promotor,' said Barca in a statement. 'Nevertheless, the club will consider readjusting the leg of the summer tour in South Korea, where two games are scheduled against FC Seoul (July 31) and Daegu FC (August 4), if certain conditions are met by the promoter. 'If these conditions are met, then the club will travel to South Korea in the coming days. Barcelona regrets this incident and the impact it will have on the many, many Barca fans in Japan.' The club had planned to face Italian side Como at their revamped Camp Nou stadium on August 10 for its reopening but after failing to obtain the adequate permits were forced to move the game to the Johan Cruyff stadium by their training ground. - AFP
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Arsenal off to winning pre-season start in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Arsenal kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Italian giants AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on Wednesday. Manager Mikel Arteta started the match with several regulars, including Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Ben White. Christian Norgaard, a new signing from Brentford, made his first appearance for the Gunners, while fellow arrivals Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi started on the bench. In front of more than 22,800 fans, Arsenal, who finished runner-up in the last three consecutive seasons in the English Premier League, looked the more lively of the two sides in the first half, dominating possession but failing to convert their chances. Arteta then made six changes at the break, with Arrizabalaga and Zubimendi introduced to the Arsenal faithful. Their breakthrough came just seven minutes into the restart, as England international Bukayo Saka latched onto a cross from defender Jakub Kiwior and slotted the ball home into the far corner. Saka, later named Man of the Match, made way for 15-year-old Max Dowman – a product of the club academy – who impressed with his confidence and flair. Arsenal continued to press for a second goal, but Milan's substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani denied Mikel Merino's header with a full-stretch save in the 75th minute. He was called into action again seven minutes later, tipping Leandro Trossard's close-range effort over the bar to keep the scoreline in Arsenal's favour. "I'm very happy with the attitude and the domination we had shown throughout the game. But there are always things to improve," Arteta said at the post-match press conference. "I have to find that cohesion within the players, and they have to continue to step up to the next level. But we are heading in a good direction."
