Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's improvements in 2024 do not mean they are as strong as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic in one fundamental aspect, according to Marin Cilic.
When Nadal retires from professional tennis at the end of the Davis Cup Finals this month, only Djokovic will remain from the three players who dominated tennis for so many years.
Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic are widely regarded as the three best tennis players ever, and their rivalries and matches with each other captivated millions of fans worldwide.
Although there have been some frosty moments between all three men at various stages of their careers, especially between Federer and Djokovic in the early years, the respect between them is substantial.
That was proven by the emotional tribute Djokovic gave Nadal after their final professional match at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, including calling the Spaniard an incredible person.
There are some similarities between Alcaraz and Sinner, who have separated themselves from the other players on the ATP Tour this year by splitting the four Grand Slams.
The two play incredible tennis against each other, and it is undoubtedly the most exciting ATP rivalry right now. This year, for example, Alcaraz outlasted Sinner in an epic China Open final after over three hours on the court.
Unlike the tension that used to exist between Federer and Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sinner also have a good relationship. They are not best friends, but still get along very well off the court.
Some have suggested that the level produced in Alcaraz and Sinner's matches might be even better than Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic's matches against one another, which is a significant and controversial claim.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander was among those who said the tennis Sinner and Alcaraz play against each other when they are both performing near their peak is the best he has ever watched.
Diego Schwartzman, who will retire from tennis next year, stated what Sinner and Alcaraz do with their bodies is crazy, comparing them favorably to Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
However, 2014 US Open champion Cilic did not focus on the technical aspects in his comments at the Serbia Open in Belgrade. The Croatian thinks Sinner and Alcaraz are not as mentally strong as the three tennis legends.
"Novak and Rafa, they are similar mentally. If you are not with them from the first ball of the match, you can immediately go home and say goodbye to everyone. With Roger, on the other hand, it was very different. He always served fantastically, played offensively, was able to change the rhythm, the game."
"You have to be mentally ready to play from the first shot because once they get into the rhythm, there is no going back. If I compare them to the younger ones, Sinner and Alcaraz, it is clear that Jannik and Carlos are not yet at the same level of mental preparation as Novak, Roger and Rafa were."
Cilic has played Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic several times, including two Grand Slam finals against Federer. That experience gives him a unique insight into the outstanding mentality of those three men and the work Sinner and Alcaraz have ahead to match that.
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