Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic are well in their thirties, but they are still ruling the tennis world on the ATP Tour. The Big3 decided not to play in the recent Miami Open. This was a fantastic opportunity, especially for the up-and-coming players, to go deeper into an important event.
Eventually, it was Hubert Hurkacz to conquer the prestigious ATP 1000 event in South Florida. Jannik Sinner also had a fantastic run in Miami, where he reached the final.
After losing the final, Jannik Sinner elaborated about the importance of having the Big3 out of the competition:
“I came here with the mentality to win. We knew that Rafa, Roger, Novak, Thiem were not playing. I think it was a big opportunity for many players. So, you know, we came here trying to win match after match in the right way and trying to go to the net, trying to make the game, trying to move my opponent. Every single match had his match and his story. Somehow I managed to win every match. Not today.”
The schedules of the Big3 and Jannik Sinner
Regarding the upcoming schedules, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will both play the ATP 1000 event in Monte Carlo (next week), while Roger Federer decided to skip this particular tournament. Jannik Sinner also decided to play in Monte Carlo, where he has never competed in the previous years.
Rafael Nadal will be the hot favorite to win the tournament in the Principality after conquering this competition 11 times. Novak Djokovic won the tournament twice in 2013 and 2015.
Roger Federer in 2021
Now ranked no.7, the Swiss played his last match on the 11th of March when he capitulated to world no.37 Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6 6-1 7-5 in the quarter in Doha (draw).
During this season Roger has achieved a composed 1-1 win-loss record.
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Now the world no.3, Nadal played his last match on the 17th of February when he surrendered to world no.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Rafael owns an overall 4-1 match record.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal squared off 40 times. The head to head is 24-16 for Nadal. Previously, the last time when they fought against each other, Roger Federer won 7-6(3) 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in London (Wimbledon) in July 2019.
Here the highlights.
Novak Djokovic in 2021
Currently the world no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 21st of February when he overcame world no.2 Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 82nd career title.
Currently, during this season the Serbian has a 9-0 record. The Serbian has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Jannik Sinner in 2021
Currently ranked no.23 (career-high), the Italian played his last contest on the 4th of April when he lost to world no.16 Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(4) 6-4 in the final in Miami (draw).
Currently, during this year Sinner has a 14-5 match record. This year, The Italian won 1 tournament in Melbourne. Sinner was the runner-up in Miami.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have never played each other up to now in top tournaments.
Jannik Sinner |
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