'I was world no.5 recently – two stars are better than Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal'

Taylor Fritz believes that Jannik Sinner and are already greater than and – in some regards at least.

Italian prodigy Sinner, 23, alongside his Spanish rival Alcaraz, 21, have come into their own this year, winning every Grand Slam on offer between them. Their , with both players showcasing a level of skill that seems .

Even a seasoned champion like 37-year-old Djokovic , despite occasionally summoning his near-mechanical best to .

World no.6 Fritz, who has only managed one win against the pair - a triumph over Sinner at Indian Wells in 2021 - felt the sting of defeat to the Italian in last month's US Open final. Reflecting on the rise of these formidable talents, he didn't hold back in his praise suggesting they might just be superior to Djokovic and the soon-to-retire Nadal.

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Discussing his experiences playing against the tour's leading lights, American Fritz delved into what sets them apart when speaking to Tennis Channel.

"They [Sinner and Alcaraz] just play these lateral baseline points like... I mean these crazy points that you see like Nadal, Fed... mostly you see like Nadal and Novak have these long points corner to corner," Fritz explained. "But, like when Sinner and Alcaraz do it I swear they're the same but hitting the ball 10pmh faster. It's crazy."

The American heaped praise on the duo not only for their formidable attack, but a stoney defence, revealing just how difficult it is to break them down on any surface, reports .

"I mean, one other thing both of those guys do really well is just they... I mean their defence is incredible," said Fritz. "I think more so though, their defence is amazing - but they don't really play that much defence!

"Their defence is like, you know, when they're full, on the run, out of the corners, they just crush the ball. I guess a good example is like I can be a backhand cross rally with either one of them.

"If I get around one, pull a forehand inside in or pull back in line it's got to be so good or else the next one is just getting like drilled huge cross court."

The storied 'big three era of Djokovic, Nadal, and the now-retired Roger Federer, has seemingly coming to an end - but the sport is transitioning into the hands of players who may possess even greater skill, if Fritz is to be believed.

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