Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy, has taken the sport by storm, and his meteoric rise has drawn high praise from Toni Nadal, the legendary coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal. In a recent candid discussion, Toni revealed what he sees as Alcaraz’s significant advantage over the iconic Big 3—Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic—asserting that the young Spaniard is uniquely positioned to dominate the sport in an era with less formidable competition. With four Grand Slam titles already under his belt, Alcaraz is carving out a legacy that could rival the greatest, and Toni’s insights shed light on why the Murcia native is primed for historic success.
Alcaraz’s ascent has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 19, he clinched the 2022 US Open, becoming the youngest world No. 1 in ATP history, a record previously held by Lleyton Hewitt. Since then, he’s added the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon titles and the 2024 and 2025 French Open crowns, showcasing his versatility across surfaces. His latest triumph, a dramatic five-set comeback against Jannik Sinner in the longest Roland Garros final in history on June 8, 2025, made him the third-youngest man to win five Grand Slams, trailing only Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal. “In two weeks he has achieved what many tennis players dream of achieving for a whole career. His precocity record will be really hard for anyone to beat,” Toni remarked, reflecting on Alcaraz’s 2022 US Open win, a sentiment that resonates even more today given his relentless success.
Toni, who coached Rafael to 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles before focusing on his academy and later Felix Auger-Aliassime, has long championed Alcaraz’s potential. He first heard of the young Spaniard when Alcaraz was just 12 or 13 and watched him play at 14 or 15, noting his raw talent. “Carlos Alcaraz is probably the player best positioned to succeed the members of the Big 3 on the world stage. He is a very complete tennis player, with a clean and easy technique that allows him to generate great shots from any position,” Toni said, praising Alcaraz’s all-court prowess. Unlike the Big 3, who faced each other in their prime, Toni believes Alcaraz benefits from a less crowded field. “He has only one rival, which is Sinner […] he has an advantage over Federer, Djokovic, and company […] I think there is less level,” he stated, suggesting that the absence of peak-era titans like Federer and Djokovic gives Alcaraz a clearer path to dominance.
The rivalry with Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, is shaping up as the defining battle of this new era. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 8-4, including a crucial 6-4 edge on clay, highlighted by his 2025 Roland Garros victory. “If I may go back to Alcaraz, since he is the one we care about, I must say that I still enjoy his game more – I like him even more, but also admit and fear that the notorious improvement of the current leader, especially at a mental level, will make things really difficult for him,” Toni noted, acknowledging Sinner’s growth while remaining bullish on Alcaraz’s edge. Alcaraz’s game, blending Djokovic’s defensive speed, Federer’s shot-making finesse, and Nadal’s relentless intensity, makes him a unique threat. As Andre Agassi observed during the Roland Garros final, “You got to remember—this guy has defensive speed like Novak if not more. He has feel like Federer, you can argue at times, if not more. He has RPMs and pace like Rafa, you could argue, maybe even more.”
Yet, Toni also offered a note of caution, critiquing Alcaraz’s occasional lapses in focus and his complaints about the demanding ATP schedule. In a recent interview, he urged the young star to embrace the challenges of professional tennis, reminding him of the privileges that come with being a top athlete. Alcaraz’s physical, all-out style has led to injuries, like a hamstring issue in 2023 and forearm troubles in 2024, but his resilience mirrors Nadal’s, who won 22 Slams despite frequent physical setbacks. “I’ve worked really hard so that things like this could happen,” Alcaraz said after his 2022 US Open win, a mindset that continues to drive him.
As Alcaraz prepares for Wimbledon, where he aims for a third consecutive title, his path is both promising and perilous. With Federer retired, Nadal nearing the end of his career, and Djokovic, at 37, showing signs of decline, Alcaraz faces a field where Sinner is his primary obstacle. His 12 “Big Titles” (Grand Slams, ATP Masters 1000s, and Olympic gold) at a rate of one per 4.2 tournaments outpaces Federer’s career mark, trailing only Djokovic and Nadal. “I want to be like the Big 3 and that is what motivates me to give the best of myself,” Alcaraz declared, embracing the challenge of matching their legacy. With Toni Nadal’s endorsement and a favorable competitive landscape, Alcaraz is not just the heir to the Big 3 but a force poised to redefine tennis history.
Leave a Reply