Andy Murray doesn’t want to see Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner prematurely “forced” into a rivalry. The 36-year-old recently claimed there was no guarantee that the two men could join up with Daniil Medvedev to create a new Big Three. The former world No. 1 has now explained that he believes Alcaraz and Sinner will spend the next decade fighting for Majors but he wants to see their rivalry form naturally instead of being rushed.
Murray spent the peak of his career fighting with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the biggest titles. With Federer now retired and Nadal struggling with injuries and nearing the end of his career, the tennis world has been looking for the next competitors to fill their place.
Alcaraz and Sinner have emerged as natural candidates. They have already contested seven matches, have won at least one Grand Slam title each, and have big wins over world No. 1 Djokovic. But Murray recently admitted that he wasn’t convinced that Alcaraz, Sinner and Medvedev could emulate the Big Three, claiming that it took time to create something like that.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has now clarified his comments, warning fans not to force Alcaraz and Sinner into an unnatural position when their competition would likely form on its own. “I don’t think it’s a specific number of matches that people have to play,” Murray told the ATP when asked what it would take for the young stars to match the likes of Djokovic and co.
“I just think it has to be natural and organic. I feel a little bit like since Roger stopped and Rafa’s obviously been injured, I know there’s a need for new rivalries to come and they will but it doesn’t have to be forced.”
While Murray didn’t want to jump the gun, he admitted that even he could see the two 2000s-born Grand Slam champions fighting it out for the biggest title. He continued: “Jannik and Carlos will play many great matches against each other and they’re gonna be competing for Major for the next 10 years or so, I believe.
“And hopefully there will be more guys that come through to challenge them and create more brilliant stories.” While there has been plenty of uncertainty over what a post-Big Three era would look like, Murray assured tennis fans that there would always be new players and storylines to follow.
