"For us in America, it'd be huge... Hopefully he'll peak later" - John McEnroe reaffirms backing for Ben Shelton to join Carlos Alcaraz in new 'Big 3'
John McEnroe has reiterated his belief that Ben Shelton could join Carlos Alcaraz in forming the new 'Big 3' over the next decade. The term originally refers to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's sustained and unparalleled dominance on tour in the same era.
With Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner being seen as ushering in a new era of men's tennis, there's been considerable discourse about who might join the duo as a member of the new 'Big 3.' While Holger Rune recently expressed excitement about being considered part of this trio, McEnroe has backed Shelton as the next standout player.
On the 'Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios' podcast, the Australian spoke about the modern 'Big 3,' asserting that Novak Djokovic still occupied a spot. However, he invited John McEnroe's opinion on who could join Carlos Alcaraz in the elite group in the next decade.
"You look at the level and the depth of the modern day tennis game and you look at the modern 'Big 3' now. You've got probably, Djokovic is probably still one of the big players you'd expect to go far in a Slam and you've got Alcaraz. Who's that next guy? Who will be the next member of the 'Big 3' moving forward in the next 10 years," Kyrgios said.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion promptly expressed optimism about Shelton becoming a part of the new 'Big 3,' emphasizing that it would be "huge" for American tennis. McEnroe lavished praise on the 21-year-old's athletic prowess and expressed hope that he would reach his peak later on his career.
"Well I was hoping it would be Ben Shelton. He's made some some great advancements and for us, in America, it'd be huge. He wasn't just focused on tennis at 10 years old, he played American football. He's a hell of an athlete," he said.
"Went to college for a couple of years, hopefully he'll peak later, 25 to 35. That's the guy potentially, but to me, it's really difficult to say," he added.
The former World No. 1 has endorsed Ben Shelton as a potential member of the new 'Big 3' previously as well, ranking him above Holger Rune as a replacement for Djokovic in Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's rivalry.
"I would put (Ben) Shelton. I am not sure I'd put (Holger) Rune ahead of Shelton at this point. I am hoping, maybe it's just because we're hoping in America he breaks out big. But he's got that," he said in an interview with the BBC.
"One of Ben Shelton or Holger Rune hopefully, but Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have taken it a step above these other guys" - John McEnroe on new 'Big 3' rivalry
In the same interview with the BBC, John McEnroe expressed his desire for one of Ben Shelton or Holger Rune to join Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the new 'Big 3' rivalry but acknowledged that another player could emerge and take the tennis community by surprise.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion also pointed out that Sinner and Alcaraz have made significant strides ahead of their peers. However, he refrained from sharing a prediction about who would end up with more Grand Slam titles.
"One of those guys hopefully. Maybe there'll be someone that surprises us. But clearly Sinner and Alcaraz have taken it a step way above these other guys. And as far as who's going to win more? Gosh, that's like asking before, who's going to win more, Djokovic or Nadal? Way back then," McEnroe added.
Carlos Alcaraz recently clinched his fourth Grand Slam title at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, won his maiden major title at the Australian Open earlier this year.