"We cannot compare us with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer" - Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner recently spoke about the Big 3's impact on men's tennis in light of Rafael Nadal's retirement. The World No. 1 gave props to Nadal and his arch-rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for their consistency and longevity. He also claimed that it would be difficult for the younger generation to emulate the three legends.

Nadal took to social media on Thursday (October 10) to announce that the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month would mark his last professional tour outing. The 22-time Major winner has dealt with several injuries over the last two years.

The above news also means that two — Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer — out of the famous Big 3 have bid the sport their goodbyes. And while Novak Djokovic will potentially play for a few more years, the dominance eschewed by the trio, which saw them pick up a collective 66 Grand Slam titles, has finally ended.

In this context, Jannik Sinner was asked to give his thoughts on the Big 3 at the press conference following his quarterfinal victory over Daniil Medvedev at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday. The Italian said the Big 3 stayed at the top for nearly 15 years — a feat he drew inspiration from.

Sinner also maintained that the younger generation couldn't possibly be compared to Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer. He said:

"No, I mean, what they have done in the last years has been amazing. There are not so many things to say about pressure, the pressure is always going to be there. But, you know, talking from my side, I think about myself, what I have to do on the court, what I have to improve, and that hopefully makes it better as a player, you know, and also a consistent player."

"They have been very consistent throughout the years and years and years. There's not only been one season or two seasons, they made it for 15 years. So, it's amazing what they have achieved, what they have done. There are a lot of things what we can take from them. We cannot compare us with them, you know, that's impossible, especially in this moment now," Sinner added.

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"I think we all were very lucky to see Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer play tennis" - Jannik Sinner

Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer look on at Laver Cup 2022

At the same press conference, Jannik Sinner asserted that the tennis universe had had the good fortune to watch the Big 3 compete. He also said he was lucky to interact with each member of the trio both on and off the court.

"I think we all were very lucky to see the Big 3, you know, playing tennis," Jannik Sinner said. "And I consider myself very lucky to get to know them also as person and, you know, to learning from them, and, yeah, I think that's it."

The World No. 1, meanwhile, will face 30th-seeded Tomas Machac for a place in the final of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday (October 12).