Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are now the Big Two after winning all three Grand Slams this year.
And the French Open and Wimbledon champion now wants to continue his superb summer by winning two Olympic golds in Paris.
The Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer dominated the sport for two decades by winning 66 Majors between them.
But Alcaraz, 21, thrashed Djokovic in straight sets in the Wimbledon final to win his fourth Grand Slam quicker than any of the modern legends. Nick Kyrgios tweeted: “Wow. Love Djokovic, but is this maybe the first time we can say the ‘changing of the guard’ ?!?!”
Djokovic is still world No.2 – and stated his determination to go again at the Olympics and Paris. Yet the 24-time Grand Slam winner, who underwent knee surgery last month, has yet to win any tournament this year. Italian Sinner beat him on the way to the Australian Open title and took the world No.1 spot after the French Open.
World No.3 Alcaraz said: “I think being there with Jannik, 22 years old, at the top of the ranking, winning the Grand Slams, I think it is good for tennis to have new faces winning the big things and fighting for the big tournaments. I’m really glad to have him there.
“We have a really good rivalry, as young players that are coming up, fighting for these things as well. I think it’s great for the sport, for tennis and I think for the players as well.”
Alcaraz has already won more Grand Slams than Andy Murray and now wants to equal his number of Olympic titles too.
He will be among the favourites to win the singles when he returns to Roland Garros later this month.
And Alcaraz will also form a doubles dream team with his idol Nadal who returned to action yesterday (Monday).
The 22-time Grand Slam winner played his first competitive match since May 27 when he partnered Casper Ruud to a first-round win in the Nordea Open in Bastad.
“I’m excited playing my first Olympic games,” Alcaraz said. “Obviously playing the doubles with Rafa is a dream come true for me. I’m going to try my best to get the medals for my country, both golds.”
Alcaraz revealed he spoke to Alvaro Morata immediately after his Wimbledon triumph to wish the Spain captain good luck – and then delayed his arrival at the Wimbledon Champions’ Dinner watching the Euro 2024 final
“Just before getting out of the car, I saw the goal so I thought it was offside,” he smiled. “I couldn’t get out of the car until I made sure it was a goal.”
