Fresh Popularity Burden on Carlos Alcaraz After Andy Roddick Confirms His Dominance over Jannik Sinner

‘Big Four’, ‘Big Three’, and now ‘Big Two? For over two decades, the Big Three—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic—dominated tennis. Now, with their era winding down with Federer and Nadal already retired and Djokovic on the brink of retirement, the sport is looking highly at its next leading pair: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. While Sinner is already a big show in both Italy and American, it’s time for Alcaraz to prove his mettle in the US, says 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick!

Alcaraz has quickly become one of the sport’s biggest stars, with a magnetic personality that has won him fans far beyond his home in Spain. In the United States, his popularity has skyrocketed, with many fans adopting him as their own. His US Open triumph in 2022 played a huge role in this, as did his ability to connect with people on and off the court. Meanwhile, Sinner boasts a huge following in Italy. To give you a picture, he has achieved David-Beckham, like adulation in his home country. He has also been tagged as the Taylor Swift of Italy by Andy Roddick.

Naturally, Roddick commented on these two tennis stars’ popularity on a recent edition of his podcast “ Served”.

Roddick seems to believe that Carlos Alcaraz holds more responsibility for his stardom than Sinner: “He’s going to have to become more selfish. I don’t think he can be everything to everyone all at once you know I think because he has this personality there’s a bigger expectation around him then say Sinner, on the public facing side and you know sinner in Italy now it’s the same thing it’s absurd I talked about a couple weeks ago he’s like Beckham like he doesn’t go into anywhere without getting a standing ovation, it’s just nuts”.

The veteran American tennis player also commented on how they are handling this newfound popularity. He said, “I was like after the big three with Novak and Roger and Rafa I didn’t know that we’d see this level of adoration again and you know here we are it’s just crazy but I think the example that those three have set has trickled down it really has you know how can Carlos be an [ __ ] you know when there’s the best players of all time didn’t operate that way largely you know how can Sinner be one if the players haven’t operated that way largely.” 

Alcaraz is more outgoing and therefore attracts more limelight. The 21-year-old has impressively handled the fame that has come with the game. From sending get-well-soon messages to his injured opponents or sharing his umbrella with the ball kids during a rain delay, he has displayed his humility and respect. He also won the 2023 Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, which symbolizes fair play, professionalism and integrity on and off-court. Alcaraz seems to be following in the footsteps of his idols.

The Big Three set an incredible example of sportsmanship as Roger Federer won the Sportsmanship Award 13 times, from 2004–2009 and 2011–2017, in his career. Alcaraz’s compatriot Rafael Nadal was also known for never breaking or smashing a racquet on court. Whereas Novak Djokovic has also set the standard by always praising and supporting his fellow opponents. Therefore, we can say that with great power comes great responsibility.

The pressure to always be perfect can weigh heavily, even on someone as grounded as Carlos Alcaraz. But he is handling that in style, claims a former world No 1.

Carlos Alcaraz has “detached” himself from his “100% perfect” image 

Carlitos was coming off a heart-breaking defeat at the Olympics, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic for the gold. He then went onto play what he described as the “worst match” against Gael Monfils where he lost  6-4, 6-7(5), 4-6 at the Cincinnati Open. All this frustration culminated in him smashing his racquet on the court. His rare but emotional racquet smash drew attention because it showed a side of him rarely seen.

The seven-time major winner, Mats Wilander, commented on the incident with his unique take. Believing that the racquet smash will actually do him some good, he said, “I hate to see someone break a racquet…but at the same time, he’s kind of detached himself from his image of being 100% perfect at all times, off the court, on the court, on social media. He’s kind of moved away from that. I think it’s a good thing for him, in a way, and I think it takes some of the pressure off him.”

Post the incident, Alcaraz took to his social media and wrote, “I apologise because my attitude yesterday was not correct and it is something that should not be done on the court. I am human, I had a lot of nerves inside and sometimes it is very difficult to control yourself when your heart rate is so high. I will work so that it does not happen again. Time to think about NYC!”

Alcaraz and Sinner are giving tennis fans a new reason to cheer with their rivalry. The Big Three may have set the bar, but the alleged Big Two two are raising it in their own way.