By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 12, 2024Photo credit score: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Wimbledon—Large 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 Closing
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 ultimate in type right this moment.
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 famous person to the enduring trio of Grand Slam champions, Medvedev mentioned Alcaraz might be the hardest opponent he is ever confronted.
That is a large endorsement from the previous world No. 1, who has confronted every of the Large 3 and scored victories over each Djokovic and Nadal.
Why does Alcaraz pose larger issues than the Large 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 taking part in offense, protection or in transition.
Briefly, Medvedev suggests Alcaraz is a extra full champion than the Large 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 mentioned after bowing to Alcaraz within the Wimbledon semifinals for the second straight yr. “It is totally different recreation type. I feel the place Carlos is totally different from many gamers, all of us have a bit of bit our preferences, somebody prefers protection, somebody prefers counterattack, somebody prefers to be tremendous aggressive.
“He can do all of it. He can generally slice, even unhealthy slice, after which run and attempt to win like this. Then once you hit him many occasions, when guys do that, you may play with them. You may hit them the straightforward shot again, and so they do not need to assault, however that is not Carlos. Hit him simple shot, you already know it is over for you. That what makes it powerful.
“In all probability in my profession he is hardest opponent I’ve confronted. However I’ve time, I’ve time to attempt to do higher.”
In case you suppose that feels like hyperbole, contemplate how Medvedev assesses every Large 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 received 5 of six conferences vs. Medvedev, together with rallying for an epic five-set win within the 2022 Australian Open ultimate which got here three years after Nadal subdued the Russian in 5 units within the 2019 US Open ultimate.
Grand Slam king Djokovic has crushed the person affectionately nicknamed “Meddy Bear”, 10 occasions 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 ultimate.
“The factor is I performed huge three once they had been let’s name older, over 30. A bit totally different,” Medvedev mentioned. “They’re all totally different, all totally different in their very own method, of their recreation.
“So Roger performs on the road. Hits stunning method pictures, goes to the web.
“Novak performs additionally on the road, however utterly totally different. Superb protection, like pinball participant the place the ball comes so again quicker to you.
“Rafa, utterly totally 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 yr in the past, Djokovic mentioned 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 Large 3.
“It is wonderful for our sport to have a champion like Alcaraz. And he is so younger,” Djokovic mentioned. “It is also refreshing to have one other nice rivalry that persons are keen about, 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 could be the subsequent Large 3.”
