Frances Tiafoe says somebody must step up and problem Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, however provides Novak Djokovic doesn't fall into that class anymore.
It has been precisely two years since somebody exterior of Alcaraz and Sinner gained a Grand Slam match. Until one thing drastic modifications, the present two top-ranked gamers in males's tennis can even enter the 2026 Australian Open as by far the 2 largest favorites for the principle glory.
In all however one Grand Slam ultimate this yr, Alcaraz and Sinner clashed in opposition to one another – solely on the Australian Open, Alexander Zverev made the title match however misplaced to the Italian simply in straight units.
Tiafoe, who made the US Open semifinal in 2022 and 2024, didn't have an important Grand Slam yr this season and he didn't come anyplace close to difficult Alcaraz and Sinner for the most important titles.
Djokovic reached the semifinal in all Grand Slam tournaments this yr – however since he’s 38 years outdated – Tiafoe doesn't see the Serb as a long-term problem for the 2 most dominant gamers within the recreation.
Tiafoe: Who's the third man to problem Alcaraz and Sinner? Djokovic doesn't depend
“There's a pair extra guys who've received to affix them. I'm not saying beat them, however there's received to be (different) guys – and that motivates me," Tiafoe informed the Olympics web site.
“I’m like, yo, who's that third man? Who's that fourth man? Novak (Djokovic) doesn't depend. He’s 40. I really like him, however doesn't depend. He’s 40. He's a GOAT, he's one of the best participant of all time. He's not with these guys.
“Who’s that different man or two to be there and possibly beat these guys? That might be the quote-unquote Novak and (Andy) Murray – earlier than Novak went and did what he did. Who’re these guys? And there's a bunch of men who may be that man, proper? In order that's actually motivating me. It's like, ‘See massive image.’ That's motivating.”
In his first Grand Slam semifinal on the 2022 US Open, Tiafoe misplaced to Alcaraz. Final yr, the American was overwhelmed by fellow compatriot Fritz in the identical stage at Flushing Meadows.
