Toni Nadal: Sinner’s opponents are much weaker than during the Big Three era; no one really steps up now

As the 2025 season concluded, Sinner and Alcaraz continued to dominate the four Grand Slam tournaments, showcasing their overwhelming control over the tennis world. However, Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and former coach, sharply criticized this trend, bluntly stating in his column that the current situation exists entirely because the overall level of men’s tennis today is far inferior to that of ten years ago.

He emphasized that although the duopoly of Sinner and Alcaraz resembles the dominance Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic had over the sport, he questions the depth of competition beyond this monopoly.

Toni Nadal’s viewpoint is very clear, as he directly compares players from the two eras.

He asserts that at their peak, Nadal and Murray could “easily overpower” today’s Medvedev and Zverev. In his opinion, Wawrinka and Del Potro were also “far stronger” than Ruud and Rublev. Toni even believes that the steady and tenacious Ferrer would surpass the currently hyped Rune.

Regarding this, he frankly admits, “Alcaraz has an advantage that players from a few years ago didn’t have: his opponents are weaker than before, not as formidable as those of the past. Certainly, he has a strong rival—Sinner, who remains competitive—but the other players have gradually faded from the spotlight. I clearly remember that in Nadal’s era, besides Djokovic and Federer, there were other great players like Murray, Del Potro, Ferrer, and Wawrinka, to name a few. These competitors were always present. In today’s tour, it feels like those rivals have disappeared.”

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Toni Nadal not only criticized the individual players’ abilities but also the style of play of the entire era. He believes modern tennis “focuses more on power hitting while neglecting ball control,” resulting in a monotonous style that lacks the entertainment value seen in the past.

However, not everyone agrees with Toni Nadal’s perspective. Tennis legend John McEnroe considers Alcaraz to be “the most talented player he has ever seen, even surpassing Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.” Many commentators and fans also believe that the quality of the “Sinner-Alcaraz” rivalry alone matches any great rivalry in history.

Furthermore, analysts regard the 2025 French Open final as comparable to the 2008 Wimbledon “Fedal” final and the 2012 Australian Open “Djokovic-Nadal” final, considering it a classic destined for the history books. Sinner and Alcaraz have faced each other over ten times, with their matches seen as a symphony of modern tennis technique and classic passion.

In terms of achievements, Alcaraz had already won six Grand Slam titles by age 22, matching Nadal at the same age. Moreover, his titles span the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, demonstrating a more versatile dominance than Nadal’s early career focus on clay courts.

The debate over “then and now” comparisons has never ceased in the sports world. Behind it lies both nostalgia for youthful memories and differing preferences for evolving playing styles.

Toni Nadal’s opinion represents the observations of a generation. They believe the past tennis scene was filled with warriors of distinct characters and unique techniques, where every round could bring a fierce battle.

In contrast, the current tennis world, with Alcaraz and Sinner establishing absolute dominance, seems to lack a “third contender” who can consistently challenge them. Djokovic’s influence still lingers but he is nearing retirement; players like Zverev and Medvedev fall short compared to Murray and Wawrinka of the past in terms of consistency and impact.

A sharp online comment stated: “Toni’s words are quite interesting. Watching Alcaraz and Sinner’s matches now, it does feel like the old era’s spark is missing. Sinner is tough, but besides him, others are just not up to par. I remember back then, Nadal was surrounded by many rivals, and every match felt like a final. Now, although Alcaraz is world number one, his path seems much smoother than before.”

The transition between old and new eras is inevitably marked by applause and debate. Tennis in every era finds its heroes and narratives. What do you think? Feel free to share your views and thoughts in the comments section.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)