Tennis fans often criticize today’s top players for lacking consistency, as their level can change significantly from one tournament to another.
This has become a problem in the tennis world, especially as some fans have grown tired of seeing Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominate the biggest tournaments. Experts, analysts and coaches regularly talk about the current situation on the tour, and they have not been afraid to criticize some of the biggest names in the sport.
Toni Nadal has questioned the current level of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev while discussing what he sees as a wider problem among the generation that followed the Big Three.
The former coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal believes too many leading players are struggling to maintain their level for long periods, with the Spaniard using Tsitsipas, Rublev and Zverev as examples during a recent interview with Euronews.
Nadal argued that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have separated themselves from much of the field, while some players who were expected to challenge them have failed to show the same consistency.
He compared the current era with the period in which Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were dominating the sport. According to the 65-year-old, players such as Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, David Ferrer and Stan Wawrinka regularly remained competitive behind the legendary trio.
Nadal said tennis will continue to produce champions after the end of the Big Three era, just as new stars emerged after Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. His concern is instead the depth behind the very best players. He said the sport needs “10 to 15 players who fight in every match,” arguing that this is not happening often enough today. He also pointed to Ferrer as someone who rarely lost to much lower-ranked opponents during his prime.
Toni Nadal says Tsitsipas lost motivation and confidence
The former coach particularly focused on Tsitsipas, who was once regarded as one of the players most likely to win multiple Grand Slam tournament titles.
“I remember a few years ago, I watched Tsitsipas, he was extraordinary. When he won the Masters, when he reached the final at Roland Garros, he was very strong. But then I think he lost his motivation and confidence, and today Tsitsipas is far below the level he once had. Rublev is far from his best level, and Zverev as well,” Nadal said.
Tsitsipas won the ATP Finals in 2019 and reached his first Grand Slam tournament final at Roland Garros in 2021. However, his ranking has since fallen considerably, and the Greek is currently ranked No. 53.
There were some encouraging signs for Tsitsipas at the US Open, where he reached the fourth round for the first time in his career. His run ended with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Ben Shelton, who did not face a single break point in the match.
Rublev has also slipped outside the Top 20 and is currently ranked No. 24. His stay in New York was much shorter, as Daniel Merida defeated the Russian in four sets in the opening round.
Zverev’s inclusion is more debatable. The German is currently ranked No. 2 and won his first Grand Slam tournament title at Roland Garros earlier this year. He also finished runner-up at Wimbledon and arrived at the US Open as the top seed.
Nadal previously told Zverev what he must accept about Alcaraz and Sinner
Toni has spoken about Zverev several times this season after the German approached him about the possibility of working together.
The Spaniard did not take the coaching role because he did not want to return to travelling regularly on the tour, but he has continued to offer Zverev advice.