With the disintegration of the Big Three last year, the tennis world lost a poetic wordplay that had helped identify the sport's greatest players for over a decade and half. With Roger Federer now retired, Rafael Nadal almost there and Novak Djokovic the last man standing, the Three have been reduced to under two.
But followers of sport like to hang on to memories and established nomenclatures. The linear passing of the title would have been to the triumvirate of 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, 21-year-old Jannik Sinner and 20-year-old Holger Rune.
But a new rivalry blossoming on the women's tour, rebuilding since the retirement of Serena Williams, who cast a long shadow on women's tennis, has added a novel twist to the Big Three idea. Iga Świątek, 21, the dominant world No.1, has Aryna Sabalenka, 25, and Elena Rybakina, 23, hot on her heels, forming a vibrant rivalry that promises much.
In rankings, they are a convenient numbers 1, 2, 3. Their rivalry is peaking in 2023, with each beating the other on different occasions in a see-saw battle that leaves little scope for predictions-except for slight advantages based on playing surfaces. It's a three-way contest that may resurrect women's tennis which, after years of Williams' dominance, seemed to meander between multiple, fleeting aspirants, barring the brief sparks provided by Naomi Osaka and Emma Radukanu.
It's a battle that could outshine the Alcaraz-Sinner-Rune combination. Multiple-time Grand Slam champion and now commentator Mats Wilander already sees Świątek as the Nadal of the new Big Three; and Rybakina as Djokovic.
Bu hikaye Mint Mumbai dergisinin July 01, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Mint Mumbai dergisinin July 01, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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