After advancing to the Round of 16 at the 2023 US Open, Alexander Zverev had said he is trying to learn to be mentally tough like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He said difficult matches come down to a battle of mental strength, something in which two legends have been coming out on top.
Djokovic and Nadal have been direct competitors to Zverev for virtually his entire career. The same is the case with most of the German’s counterparts, but at the same time, they revere and idolize the Big 3. They may score sportsmanship points with such statements, but is that respect holding the ‘lost generation’ from giving their best against the legends?
Alexander Zverev, like others, guilty of respecting the Big 3 too much
Zverev bounced back after losing the first set to defeat Grigor Dimitrov 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (10-8), 6-1, 6-1. In the post-match on-court interview, he was asked if winning such long matches comes down to strength. The #12 seed replied it comes down to mental toughness more than physical. He said everyone trains hard, but specifically named Djokovic and Nadal as having been mentally strong for years. According to Zverev, that is the reason they have so many Grand Slams and he wants to learn that.
“Sometimes it’s about who’s mentally tougher. There’s a certain Novak Djokovic & a certain Rafa Nadal who’ve been doing it for the past 20 years. That’s why they won 23 & 22 Grand Slams. I’m just trying to learn from them.”
Seeing a player praise and respect his opponents is always appreciated. However, too much respect and idolization act as a handicap. The original batch of players termed the lost generation are approaching their twilight without much silverware to show for it.
Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils, Grigor Dimitrov, and Tomas Berdych are just some of the few unfortunate names. Their peak years of playing tennis clashed with the peaks of the Big 3 players. These players, however, are guilty of deifying the Big 3, their primary opponents. For example, Dimitrov has said he does not want to be compared to the Big 3 as they are in a league of their own.
The so-called ‘Next Gen’, tipped to take over as the legendary trio slowed down, have committed the same mistakes. Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini, Andrey Rublev, and Nick Kyrgios are the biggest names in the new lost generation. This has allowed Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to continue dominating even as Roger Federer retired. This group looks up to the Big 3 given they grew up watching the legends.
Stefanos Tsitsipas once termed them his ‘heroes’ and shot down the idea that there could ever be a new Big 3. While it is not wrong to respect your idols, it is a problem when it becomes a mental block preventing you from playing your best tennis.
With the Big 3 down to Novak Djokovic, the lost generation can still bounce back
It is a testament to the Big 3’s domination that there are not one, but two lost generations in tennis. Both these batches, however, made the same mistakes of putting the the iconic trio on a pedestal. Zverev is 26 and said he wants to learn from Nadal and Djokovic. The duo, and Federer, were all multiple time Grand Slam winners at the age of 26. The German, and every other player who idolizes the triumvirate, needs to move on and take a stand for himself. The worship and admiration needs to be left for outside the court.
Daniil Medvedev is a great example of someone who has found the balance. He has shown his respect by pushing himself to the limit against the Big Three too, which is why he is one of the only seven players other than the Big 3 to win a Grand Slam since 2006. When facing Djokovic or Nadal, a player should not see a legend they used to look up to. Instead, he should just see a opponent.
Carlos Alcaraz does it, and he already has two Majors. These legends are amazing players with enough in the arsenal to beat anyone, you need not hand them extra weapons by respecting them too much and letting that affect your game.
There is still time for the ‘new’ lost generation to get what they have dreamt of. A slight change in mentality will remove the self-imposed mental blocks that crop up against the Big 3. With Federer retiring and Nadal on his last legs, Djokovic is the only Big 3 member still going strong. This is the perfect opportunity for the lost gen to rise and become genuine contenders. All they have to do is play against the Serb like they would against any other opponent. Pay the men your respects when they retire.
