"There is more to men’s tennis" than Federer and Nadal: Wimbledon and US Open show tennis is moving on, says Stevenson
Tennis News
Former American tennis player Alexandra Stevenson has said that this year's Wimbledon and US Open prove that there is more to tennis nowadays than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Federer and Nadal are indisputably two of the biggest names in tennis. The Spaniard and the Swiss player have 22 and 20 Grand Slam titles to their names respectively and have played some of the most legendary matches in the history of the sport.
However, after Federer retired in September 2022, Nadal ended up missing most of the 2023 season due to injury, meaning that neither was present on the ATP Tour for the first time in a long time. In their absence, their fellow Big Three member Novak Djokovic and young tennis star Carlos Alcaraz began filling in the gaps.
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Stevenson: there are so many exciting players today
The last two Grand Slams have had thrilling stakes as Djokovic aimed for his record 24th major title. He was stopped in his tracks at Wimbledon when 20-year-old Alcaraz emerged victorious from their five-set battle in the final. However, the 36-year-old went on to claim the record-equaling victory at the US Open.
In a recent interview on Match Point Canada, ESPN commentator Stevenson said that these events proved that there was more to tennis than a dominant Big Three or Four, with a handful of new players coming through.
"I think Wimbledon and US Open this year showed that there’s more to now Roger and Rafa and Andy Murray, I mean Andy Murray is still playing and he’s still exciting to watch but there is more to men’s tennis to watch than those three and then there is now a handful of guys that are exciting, may be even more than a handful may be there is six guys that could win Grand Slams right now, even though Novak is just dominating," she said.
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She also pointed out some players who did well at these majors as ones to keep an eye on.
"Medvedev, you have him, you have got Alcaraz, obviously, you got Novak, I could even throw in Rublev, even though he hasn’t gone past the quarters [...] So you have got, I mean Ben Shelton. He’s not ready to win a Grand Slam but who knows? Maybe the draw opens up and he could do it. So Frances Tiafoe," she continued.
The former World No. 18 added that she thinks Alcaraz has set men's singles tennis onto a new path.
"So I feel like this US Open was important for the tennis world again to see on the men’s side, there are lot of new characters and there are more and they are exciting and their personality and I feel like Alcaraz is leading the charge obviously and he has really invigorated the men’s game after people being upset that Roger and Rafa are not playing," she added.
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mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026









