Holger Rune has had his say on comparisons between himself, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner as the successors to the Big Three.
When it comes to excellence, success, and fame, the trio of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer is considered the benchmark. They have won a combined 66 Grand Slams and a long list of other Tour-level trophies.
Federer retired from the sport two years ago. His great friend and former rival Nadal will likely follow suit at the end of the 2024 season. That leaves Djokovic as the lone member of the Big Three, who is still going strong, but even the Serb is not immune to father time.
As the three of them are fading from the limelight, Alcaraz and Sinner have emerged as the flagbearers, sharing the two Grand Slam podiums this season. Although Rune has not won a Grand Slam so far in his career, he was a champion at the Paris Masters at the end of 2022.
At 21, the Dane is firmly in the conversation as a potential megastar in years to come. Several onlookers have begun inventing the discourse of who will replace Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic when all is said and done.
The early indications point to Alcaraz, Sinner, and Rune as the likeliest successors. The World No. 15 stated that it is “exciting” that they are being talked about as the new Big Three but suggested that they are not on the same level as the three men who broke barriers and set records in what is known as the golden era of men’s tennis.
“We cannot compare ourselves at all yet to Novak (Djokovic), Rafa (Nadal) and Roger (Federer). But the fact that people are starting to talk about the Next Big 3 is exciting. It’s what makes tennis bigger, exciting. Rivalries are very important. It’s interesting to have all characters, that’s why hopefully they’ll be calling us the next Big Three. I’m myself and I’m happy to be me.”
