Rafael Nadal hopes the tennis world will stop comparing new stars to him, Djokovic and Federer

As Rafael Nadal prepares to retire from professional tennis next month, the Spaniard has been asked many times to reflect on the rivalries he has shared with the other two members of the “Big Three”: Roger Federer of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

In a recent interview with DAZN Sport, the 22-time major champion was asked to push the conversation further and compare the rivalries between himself, Federer and Djokovic to the new rivalries that are brewing between young players in tennis, such as battles between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy.

Nadal admitted there may be a rivalry between the world Nos 1 and 2, but he doesn’t want to compare their rivalries to his just yet. He believes the 21- and 23-year-olds should be given a chance to prove themselves throughout their careers, and then the tennis world can declare comparisons between eras of rivalries.

“We have to wait, but of course. This year already two Grand Slams for each. Number and number two in the world. They are creating their own history,” said Nadal about Sinner and Alcaraz. “I think it’s not a time to compare eras. Because Novak is still there. Roger and myself left … but that’s part of everyone’s sports career. Now a new generation is coming. We have to let them create the their own rivalries and their own history. They don’t need the comparisons with us. Let’s see at the end of their career, then it will be time to compare what they did and what we did.”

Nadal has had a great influence on the career of compatriot Alcaraz in particular. The duo even competed in doubles during this year’s Paris Olympics. Alcaraz was also quite emotional after the announcement of Nadal’s retirement.

But, as Nadal said, Alcaraz has been making his own history on the tennis court. At this year’s French Open, he became the youngest male player to reach a major final on all three surfaces. He won both the French Open and Wimbledon this year to add to four career majors so far.

Sinner captured the other two major titles of the year at the Australian Open and the US Open.