"Leave the kid be" - Tennis fans react to 'exhausting' comparisons between Carlos Alcaraz and Big 3 by Dominic Thiem's ex-coach

By Stuti Dutta

Modified Jul 24, 2023 20:11 GMT

Carlos Alcaraz(left) Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer(top right) and Gunter Bresnik(bottom right)

Dominic Theim's former coach Gunter Bresnik is facing criticism from several tennis fans for comparing Carlos Alcaraz to the Big 3 and claiming that the latter were better than the Spaniard when they were at their peaks.

In an interview with kleinezeitung.at, Bresnik was asked if Rafael Nadal would pose a threat to Carlos Alcaraz when he returns to the tour. The veteran coach agreed before adding that the reigning US Open and Wimbledon champion's level wasn't as high as the Big 3 when they were in their prime.

The Tennis Letter shared a snippet of the interview on Twitter and quoted Gunter Bresnik.

Tennis fans took to Twitter to express their displeasure at the Spaniard constantly being compared to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.

One fan pointed out that the 20-year-old was just getting started and so should not be subjected to undue comparisons with the former champions.

Carlos Alcaraz continues winning streak but Spain make Hopman Cup 2023 exit

After his momentous victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final, Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto the clay courts at the 2023 Hopman Cup for Team Spain.

The two-time Grand Slam champion opened his campaign against Belgium's David Goffin. Alcaraz lost the first set courtesy a shaky start, as his opponent broke his serve twice. However, he fought back and won the second set, taking the match into a decider set.

Despite battling a seasoned player like Goffin, Alcaraz closed the match in his favor 4-6, 6-4, (10-8).

Earlier, Belgium's Elise Mertens downed Spain's Rebeka Masarova 7-6(3), 2-6, (10-5). The Spanish duo eventually lost their mixed-doubles match to Mertens and Goffin.

Against Croatia, the results were pretty similar for Spain, with Masarova losing her singles match to Donna Vekic and Alcaraz defeating Borna Coric. The Croatian pair won the mixed-doubles clash and eliminated Spain.

With two successive wins after his Wimbledon triumph, Alcaraz has now registered an impressive 47-4 win-loss record in the season.

About the author

Stuti is a journalist who has been covering Tennis at Sportskeeda for almost two years. A firm believer in sticking to facts and not overselling them, giving proper context, and maintaining a neutral tone in her articles, her disciplined reporting methods have garnered close to 1 million reads so far, with one of her articles receiving nearly 100,000 views and gaining global recognition.

As an ardent Rafael Nadal fan, Stuti greatly admires the Spaniard for his ability to silence critics who have doubted his form due to recurring injury setbacks. Despite being a fan of the 14-time Roland-Garros winner, she doesn't subscribe to the idea of just one GOAT and considers herself lucky to have been born in the same era as 'The Big 3.'

Stuti is a big Wimbledon fan and adores how the tournament exudes class with its all-white outfits and well-behaved crowds. When she isn't watching tennis or rooting for her favorite player, she can be often found engaged in drawing and graphic designing, maybe even pondering how she could eliminate the final tie-break at 6-6 in Grand Slams if given the chance!

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