Sinner and Alcaraz were the dominant forces in the men’s game in 2024, splitting the four Grand Slam titles between them equally.
Italian star Sinner lifted the Australian Open and US Open titles in a dominant season, winning 73 of 79 matches and winning eight singles titles across the year.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz is now a four-time major champion after completing the ‘Channel Slam’, winning his first French Open title before successfully defending his Wimbledon crown.
Sinner and Alcaraz, aged 23 and 21 respectively, have repeatedly been compared to Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer due to their hugely impressive achievements at an early age and their dominance.
However, three-time French Open champion Kuerten has warned against making such comparisons at this stage.
Speaking to Exame, the 48-year-old claimed Sinner and Alcaraz were “taking the game to new heights”, but were not near matching the longevity of the ‘Big Three’.
“It is always difficult to make comparisons between generations, but tennis today is at an impressive level,” said Kuerten.
“Sinner and Alcaraz have shown tennis of the highest quality, with a combination of power, speed and technique that is truly remarkable. In a way, they are taking the game to new heights.
“However, it is important to remember that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have dominated the sport for almost two decades, which is unprecedented. Not only have they won an incredible number of titles, but they have also constantly raised the level of their game and adapted over time.
“What we can say is that Sinner and Alcaraz have the potential to form a historic rivalry. They have already shared all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2024, which is a remarkable feat. But it is still too early to compare them directly to the Big Three.
“What makes this new generation particularly exciting is that it appears to be building on the legacy of the Big Three, incorporating elements from each of their games and adding its own innovations.
“It’s a very exciting time for tennis, and it will be fascinating to see how this story unfolds in the years to come.”
All eyes will now be on whether Sinner and Alcaraz can maintain their Grand Slam success in 2025.
Neither man is playing a warm-up event before the Australian Open, which starts on January 12th.
World No 1 Sinner will be looking to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time, while Alcaraz aims to become the youngest man to ever complete the Career Grand Slam.
The summer will see Alcaraz try to defend his Roland Garros and SW19 titles as Sinner looks to make inroads on the natural surfaces, before the US Open – the one major they have both won.
Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz will be among the leading stars looking to halt their dominance this coming season.
