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By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, February 6, 2026Photo credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Debating the dominance of various generations in tennis dates again to the times of wooden racquets and intestine strings.
Now, coach Patrick Mouratoglou has reiterated his perception the New 2—Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—are taking part in a greater model of tennis than iconic Huge 3 champion Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer produced.
Mouratoglou’s newest evaluation prompted a short, however pointedly comedian response from the King of Clay himself.
Coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who beforehand coached 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, posted on Instagram that the 38-year-old Djokovic’s dynamic semifinal victory over the 24-year-old Sinner within the Australian Open semifinals doesn’t negate the actual fact the world No. 2 had overwhelmed the Grand Slam king 5 occasions in a row earlier than that Melbourne assembly.
“For many who suppose that Djokovic beating Sinner within the semifinal of the Australian Open signifies that the Huge 3 is taking part in higher tennis than Alcaraz and Sinner,” Mouratoglou posed on Instagram. “It is a very brief view.
“Initially, you are taking one match and also you make a rule out of it. Simply keep in mind that Sinner had gained the 5 earlier matches that they performed towards one another. Only one match is not going to make me change my thoughts about what I’ve seen for the final two to 3 years.
“Jannik strikes quicker, hits more durable, takes the ball earlier, and serves higher than Novak. However Novak is the strongest psychological in tennis within the historical past and that’s what made the distinction. That’s what made his complete profession.”
Nadal, who was readily available to observe Alcaraz defeat Djokovic within the AO closing and turn into the youngest man to finish the profession Grand Slam, posted a “laughing so exhausting I’m crying” emoji response to Coach Patrick. Although Nadal (or maybe his social media supervisor) subsequently deleted his reply, it was captured by some on social media. Right here’s Nadal’s reply to Mouratoglou’s statements:
Patrick Mouratoglou:
“Considering that Alcaraz and Sinner aren’t higher than the Huge Three simply because Novak beat Sinner on the Australian Open is a short-term view.”
Rafa Nadal’s response: “🤭🫣🤣🤣🤣” pic.twitter.com/hiE47kSyxM
— Swish 🍒 Tennis (@Zwxsh) February 5, 2026
Coach Patrick went on to say that “Sinner gained 12 extra factors than Novak all through the match, however he misplaced as a result of Novak gained the large ones, those that counted probably the most. Novak just isn’t a greater tennis participant than Sinner, however he’s the most important competitor within the historical past [of tennis] and he was higher on that match.”
Mouratoglou isn’t the one analyst to price Alcaraz and Sinner, who’ve mixed to seize the final 9 consecutive Grand Slam titles, over prior generations.
In an interview with Tennis Now shortly earlier than Christmas, ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe additionally mentioned the extent of tennis delivered by Alcaraz and Sinner is probably the most thrilling in tennis historical past.
“Look, I feel tennis is extra thrilling than ever proper now,” Patrick McEnroe instructed Tennis Now. “After all there’s extra energy than there was prior to now. And the typical participant performs with far more energy actually than after I performed—and that’s a part of the character of the game. But there’s nonetheless gamers who play with finesse, gamers that may slice.
“The nice gamers are those who can play with finesse as nicely. I imply take a look at what Alcaraz can do with the racquet. I feel extra gamers are attempting to emulate that.
“I truly suppose that the racquets and the expertise have made the sport extra thrilling to observe.
“You’ll be able to return and watch, if you would like Richard, which I’m positive you will have performed, is return and watch my brother’s match with Bjorn Borg again on the Open. Or return and watch like Lendl towards Wilander within the French Open closing. I imply Lendl is actually hitting ball and strolling into the middle of the courtroom each rally.
“Clearly, if all of them grew up with the identical racquets, they might be simply nearly as good. However you may’t inform me that the sport then was extra thrilling than it’s now—there’s simply no likelihood of you successful that argument.”
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