Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic feats ‘incredible’, Carlos Alcaraz ‘has long way to go’ – Barbara Schett

Eurosport expert Barbara Schett has recalled the “incredible” rivalry between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic while looking ahead to what Carlos Alcaraz can continue to achieve ahead of the French Open.

While many are keen to immediately throw their focus forward to the next generation of rising stars coming through in men’s tennis, Schett paused in her French Open preview conversation with Eurosport to pay tribute to what the iconic trio have achieved.

Alcaraz already has a Grand Slam title to his name, but Schett says he still “has a long way to go” if he is to emulate what Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have achieved in the game with comparisons somewhat premature.

“Everyone has to make their own history, and what we’ve witnessed the last 15 years with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic is incredible. I don’t think we’ll ever have a rivalry like that again.”

On Alcaraz’s prospects of emulating the legendary trio, Schett thinks he needs rivals to push him to reach the highest levels possible.

“Carlos Alcaraz is at one [Grand Slam title] now and still has a long way to go,” she said.

“He has to have a long career and be pushed by rivals too. It will be hard to see that again because they all play so differently. Federer had this elegance on the court and was practising so hard.

“We could not have thought Rafa would have such a long career because of his injuries and Djokovic moves like a 20-year-old on the court and has no weaknesses, really. I hope someone will follow in their footsteps.

“He [Alcaraz] is my favourite, the way he has played this year, the way he has played on clay. He has played a lot more tennis than Novak. He wants nothing more than winning the title. Carlos is winning tournaments left, right and centre. He has the experience and expertise.

“Physically, he is on a different planet, but he also shows a lot of skill. It is a joy to watch him play, he is paying the best tennis of his life at the moment, but you can never write off Novak Djokovic as he has the experience of winning so many finals.

“Alcaraz has won six tournaments this year and the way he played in Madrid and Barcelona, he is full of confidence. He has taken tennis to a whole new level which we didn’t think was possible after witnessing the Big Three in the past. I think he can win it and I’m sure he will win it future.

“The only thing I worry about in the long-term is him physically and how his body will hold up over 15 years. I thought the exact same thing with Rafael Nadal, though, because of his physical game and his knee and foot problem, but then he has had such a long career. To me, if he is healthy, he will No. 1 for a good few years.”

The French Open main draw will begin on May 28 with the men’s final bringing the tournament to a close on June 11.

With Daniil Medvedev having leapfrogged Djokovic to become the second seed for the event, the draw is set to be intriguing with Alcaraz a big presence at the top of the seedings.

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