The tennis fans all over the world are relishing the chance to see their favourite players compete again at the Beijing Open. In a tournament promotional video, several of the world’s top players including Carlos Alcaraz expressed their thoughts on what could be one of the strongest draws in recent memory. The fans were quick to dismiss this claim and remind everyone about the absence of the ‘Big 3’. Roger Federer has retired and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from the marquee event.
The Beijing Open will feature eight of the top ten ranked players in what promises to be an unpredictable competition. The favorites, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev, will be challenged by Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, and Jannik Sinner, to mention a few.
Carlos Alcaraz believes this is the strongest ever 500 draw
The Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz was speaking in a promotional video for the tournament and the Spaniard mentioned that this is the toughest draw he has ever seen for a masters 500 tournament. Similarly, Medvedev also agreed that this draw is strong and unpredictable. Alongside Alcaraz and Medvedev, even the veteran Andy Murray believes that the draw for Beijing Open is the toughest he has ever seen.
However, the fans do not agree with the players as none of the ‘Big 3’ will be participating in the tournament. Following Roger Federer’s retirement, the only players remaining from the ‘Big 3′ are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal; however, Nadal has been plagued by injuries as well.
Novak Djokovic has been in superb form winning three Grand Slam titles in 2023, but he has decided to withdraw from the tournament to rest his aging body. The tennis fans’ on social media took to social media to voice their opinion and reject Alcaraz’s claim of this being the toughest draw at the 500 events.
The strongest ATP 500 lineup ever?! 🔥
The players think so…#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/oniqsBz6H8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 28, 2023
I have my doubts.
— Mike Barber (@MikeBarberNet) September 28, 2023
No Fed. No Nadal. It’s not stacked all mid players.
— Luther Layman (@boywonder1939) September 28, 2023
You’re kidding, right? If even any 2 of the Big 3 (4 if we include Andy) showed up, that is definitely stronger than this edition. I know Rafa and Nole fought for the China Open championship, both legends already at that time. I see no legend this year
— Ⓜ️ax💙🦅2️⃣4️⃣➕➕ (@Taculogsky) September 28, 2023
Well considering the number 1 player in world rn is not in it… I don’t think so
— Athan Yanos (@AthanYanos) September 28, 2023
Nonsense from Daniil !Without GOAT who is on top 6 times Beijing champ it simply can’t be strongest ATP500 lineup!
— ank (@anknorth) September 28, 2023
While the draws are indeed tougher than ones needed to win slams this year outside Alcaraz everyone is either finished or mid, such is the state of the tour.
— F3d3r3r fan (@nagori_shreyans) September 28, 2023
Must have paid HIGH appearance fees to get them all there
— TennisAlt (@tennisalt) September 28, 2023
it´s a stacked draw as you have one of the largest prize moneys….easy as that
— Don Caramello (@soloteque) September 28, 2023
The absence of the iconic trio, who have dominated men’s tennis for more than a decade, has left a big gap in the Beijing Open draw. From the draw, only Carlos Alcaraz has won the Grand Slam in the last two years and the rest are still trying to find themselves.
Fans on social media dig out the strongest 500 draw
While the fans were enjoying the nostalgia of the ‘Big 3’ on social media, a viral post on reddit shows the actual strongest draw at 500 event. The Dubai Championship in 2008 consisted of superstar players from the roaster in their prime. Andy Roddick won the event, which featured Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer.
Calling the Beijing Open draw the strongest ever is a testament to the new dawn of men’s tennis. As new players such as Alcaraz, Medvedev and others try to write their own script, the Beijing Open promises to be a fascinating prospect.
