“What I can tell you is Alcaraz defends like Novak, has power and spin like Nadal, and has hands and finesse like Federer,” Andre Agassi, the eight-time Grand Slam champion, said last year about the 21-year-old tennis phenom Carlos Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, the Spaniard deserves praise for what he has achieved at such a young age. In late 2022, he became the youngest World No.1 at 19 years, 4 months, and 6 days old. Not to forget he beat 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic in two straight Wimbledon finals, in 2023 and 2024. Achieving such milestones and getting compared to the Big 3 at just 21 is no mean feat, is it? But what does Alcaraz himself feel about the Big 3?

While he has faced the likes of Djoker and his idol, 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer is the only one Alcaraz never got a chance to play against on the ATP Tour. However, he did get to practice with him last season in October. It was during the Shanghai Masters that the Swiss Maestro joined him for a quick session. Prior to that meeting, he had expressed his wish to play Alcaraz once. Back in 2022, Federer retired after adding 20 Slams to his credit. But he did rue not having the opportunity to face off against the rising young talent. After Alcaraz won his first Major that year at the US Open, Federer confessed, “I’m sad for not having a chance to play Alcaraz. Loved the US Open.”

Currently, Alcaraz is preparing for his special appearance in an exhibition event called the Battle of Legends in Puerto Rico this Sunday. Prior to that, he engaged in an interaction with El Nuevo Dia, dated March 1. The “Spanish Magician” was asked about his experience of playing against the Big 3 in his brief professional career since turning pro in 2018. And what was his honest answer? Clarifying that he didn’t really get to play the Swiss Maestro, Alcaraz began, “Well, I agreed much less with Federer.”

But what about the other two? “With Rafa in his last years and with Djokovic, I’m still fighting. But it is a pride; in the end they are three of the best in the history of our sport. Having agreed even a little with some, and with others more, for me has been incredible. Rafa has been my idol, and the other two, I feel great respect for what they have done, and great admiration. So, having shared with them, for me it has been incredible,” Alcaraz further added.

Being compatriots, Alcaraz has always admired Nadal more than anyone else. It was evident from his emotional confession last season when the King of Clay announced his retirement.

When Carlos Alcaraz couldn’t control his feelings seeing his idol leave tennis

Rafael Nadal revealed in late 2024 that he would retire after the Davis Cup in November. In October, he shared a video message saying, “Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis.” Ahead of Nadal’s last match in Malaga against the Netherlands, when Alcaraz asked whether he tried to convince the Spanish maestro to delay his retirement, the 21-year-old said, “No, not really. I wish I could have.”

Continuing further, he added, “The decision has already been made. I asked him if it was a tough day when he announced his retirement, if it was a tough decision to make. He said yes, but it is a decision that has been carefully thought out because these decisions are not taken lightly.”

Similar to millions of tennis fans who were dejected by Nadal’s retirement, Alcaraz was upset too. “If someone had told me that I had a chance of convincing him to continue, I would have done it”, he concluded. But he surely felt blessed to be on the same side as Nadal during his last appearance as a pro player

The 14-time Roland Garros champion, however, didn’t end up on a winning note, as he lost his final battle against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. But now that he has left the racket sport, the onus is on Alcaraz to carry his legacy forward.

Lately, the former World No.1 hasn’t been in the best of forms. He did reach the QF stage of the Australian Open in January, but Djokovic ended his journey in a close fight, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. However, the Spaniard soon got his winning momentum at the ATP Rotterdam last month. In the final, he beat Andrey Rublev to clinch his first-ever indoor hard-court title. Unfortunately, his form dipped again in his next event in Doha, where he was ousted in the quarterfinal.

The next big ATP tournament for Alcaraz is the Indian Wells Masters. It will be intriguing to see how far he gets there. Are you backing him to win the BNP Paribas title? Let us know in the comments below.