Stich comments on Federer, Djokovic and Nadal dominance: 'I do not think the Big Three took tennis to the next level'

Stich said that their consistency over the years cannot be questioned but that they have not had the tough tests that he did back in his time as a player.

As a result, he believes that despite it being a new era, that they did not take tennis to a new level

"They are amazing guys who show an unbelievable consistency year after year, it's absolutely without discussion," said Stich.

'But in the meantime, I see it as a bad thing for the new generations who were not able to make the next step. It's difficult to say if Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are the greatest ever. Was Rod Laver the biggest ever or Bjorn Borg? Back in the day, Pete Sampras was very strong, but he had to face very strong rivals to win Grand Slams.'

'It has not been the case over the last 12 years because there were just five or six different Grand Slam winners. I do not think the Big Three took tennis to a new level. It's a completely different era. Tennis is much more physical than it has ever been.'

'However, there is not the variety and the creativity of John McEnroe, Borgs or my time. In the current era, the three guys stand out. But I would like to see our sport becoming more creative and the players more flexible."