'The level is better' - Hubert Hurkacz compares Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Published 18/07/2025 at 16:19 GMT+1
Former world No. 6 Hubert Hurkacz has compared Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Hurkacz said the standard of tennis now is superior to the tennis being played ten years ago. Sinner and Alcaraz have gone head-to-head in back-to-back Grand Slam finals. The Spaniard came out on top at the French Open, but Sinner won at Wimbledon.
Wimbledon highlights: Sinner defeats Alcaraz in thrilling final to claim maiden title
Video credit: SNTV
Former world No. 6 Hubert Hurkacz believes Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are playing a better level of tennis than the sport’s fabled ‘Big Four’ were in their prime.
Hurkacz has gone toe-to-toe with Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer during his career, and has also faced off against Sinner and Alcaraz.
Comparisons between the two contemporary greats and the 'Big Four’ have increased since the pair contested a modern classic in the 2025 French Open final, which the Spaniard edged.
However, after seeing Sinner bounce back to win Wimbledon 2025, Hurkacz believes that the level of modern tennis is higher than it was ten years ago.
"It’s difficult to say who wins when they are all playing their best tennis," Hurkacz said during an interview with Tennis365 at an Adidas event in London.
"I feel like the level is growing every single year, and obviously, we can say the level is better than it was ten years ago, but that is not to say Roger, Rafa, Novak and Andy could not get to where we are now.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/07/13/image-5d946c4b-a7c7-4964-b46a-9f75af0bdd23-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Kyrgios hails 'first of many Wimbledon titles' for Sinner
Video credit: TNT Sports
"They also improved every year and raised the bar, so if they were playing now, they would still be improving.
"What we can say is Jannik and Carlos are playing at an incredible level now, and it is up to the rest of us to work hard to keep up with them.
"That’s why I wake up every morning and work so hard to try and reach those levels.
"They are setting a big target now, so that is what we have to aim for."
- Murray reveals most 'humbling' career moment against Federer - ‘I was playing awful’
- How Sinner dismantled 'lost' Alcaraz in Wimbledon final
Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph means he now has four Grand Slam titles to his name at the age of 23.
He also now boasts the second-best record of any male tennis player since 2000 in their first 100 Grand Slam matches, with 81 wins.
Alcaraz is still ahead of his Italian rival despite last Sunday’s defeat, with five Grand Slams.
However, the pair have a long way to go in their bid to close the gap to Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer, who have 24, 22, and 20 Grand Slams, respectively.
Watch and stream top tennis action live and on demand - including comprehensive coverage of the Australian Open and French Open - on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement