"Please give him time to develop, so that he doesn't lose interest": Boris Becker's plea to stop Alcaraz and Big Three comparisons

Tennis News
Tuesday, 24 October 2023 at 19:54
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Boris Becker has called on people to stop comparing Carlos Alcaraz to the Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, instead asking them to give the 20-year-old "time to develop".

Alcaraz has already made a name for himself as a generational talent in the sport. In 2022, he became the youngest World No. 1 in ATP Ranking history after winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.

The Spaniard then went on to defeat Djokovic at Wimbledon to win his second major title and become the youngest winner at the grasscourt major since Becker in 1985. This success has led to a lot of comparisons between the young star and the legendary Big Three, who between them have 66 Grand Slam titles.

Becker says comparisons could be "misleading"

In a recent interview with Eurosport's Das Gelbe vom Ball, six-time Grand Slam champion Becker stressed that the comparison could be "misleading" and that fans should give Alcaraz space to develop as his own player.

"[It’s] almost impossible to avoid comparison with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But please give him time to develop, so that he doesn't lose interest in the sport, because we still need him for a few years.

"It is misleading to think that Carlos can surpass 20 Grand Slam titles," he said.

However, while the 55-year-old added that he didn't think fans would see a repetition of the talented trio, he still thought Alcaraz was hugely important to tennis and a "great successor" to Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.

"I am convinced that three players will never again win more than 20 Grand Slam tournaments at the same time.

"He [Alcaraz] is very important for the tennis scene, a great ambassador. Also, last but not least, a great successor of the Big Three," Becker continued.

This comes as Becker announced that he was joining the coaching team of Alcaraz's rival, World No. 6 Holger Rune. The Danish player will work with Becker for the rest of the 2023 season.

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