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The Big 3 have monopolized the men's circuit for over a decade and a half. The hegemony of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has prevented many highly talented players from winning what they deserved. Rafa is ahead of everyone in the all-time Grand Slam standings, thanks to the extraordinary feat achieved at the Australian Open 2022.
Fresh from a long stop due to injury and arrived in Melbourne without great expectations, the Spaniard blew the bank by recovering two sets of disadvantage to Daniil Medvedev in the final. The 35-year-old from Manacor will try to stretch further at Roland Garros, where he will hunt for his 14th seal.
Novak Djokovic will also be in Paris, as France abolished the vaccination pass last month. The Serbian has paid dearly for his choice not to vaccinate against the Coronavirus, as well as having suffered serious damage to his image.
The speech relating to Federer is different, struggling with rehabilitation after yet another surgery on his right knee. In a recent interview with 'Tennis.com', Marcos Baghdatis analyzed the impact of the Big 3 on modern tennis.
Baghdatis on Federer's forehand
"I think it's a very difficult question because of the three, even four with Andy Murray," Baghdatis said. "In my time, to win a Grand Slam, you had to win, one, maybe two of those guys. I mean, there were people that did it of course, but there were lots of talented players that could've won a Grand Slam.
We've seen Tsonga, Monfils, Nishikori who had his chance against Cilic (2014 US Open Final) but Cilic took it. There is many, in Ferrer, a guy like Ferrer could have won a Grand Slam, Berdych. We're talking about a lot of players who could have won a Grand Slam but didn't because the three were dominating in Grand Slams.
Andy Murray played in so many finals." Former Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis picked Roger Federer's forehand, Novak Djokovic's backhand and Rafael Nadal's attitude while building his perfect player. "The serve, I would go with Isner instead of Karlovic," Baghdatis said.
"Of course, Isner has more variety for me, he has a kick serve. Forehand, I would go with Federer not because it's the fastest, it's how early he takes it and how it disguises his movement, you don't read it so easily let's say.
On the backhand side, I would go with Novak Djokovic for sure, Baghdatis added. "Return, Novak Djokovic, puts a lot of pressure. That backhand down the line of Novak, it's a killer."