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While Darren Cahill claims that drawing parallels between the Big Three is premature, Grigor Dimitrov explains why he would rather play Jannik Sinner than Roger Federer.

Having made his professional debut in 2008, Grigor Dimitrov has spent the majority of his career playing alongside the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

Now that young players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are dominating the ATP Tour, he has the new challenge of making a name for himself. After losing to Sinner in the Miami Open final on Sunday, 6-3, 6-1, Dimitrov was asked how the past era contrasted with his recent on-court experiences.

“I was going to answer that Roger was the hardest player I have ever played with in his absolute prime,” replied Dimitrov frank. Honestly, it’s just too funny. A couple of times, even at Wimbledon, I seem to recall wanting to just dig a hole and disappear.

I’ll just leave it at that, as I haven’t felt that way about anyone yet. That player will probably be the one I felt like I suffered the most with.

CAHILL: EARLY ENOUGH FOR BIG THREE COMPARISONS

In his news conference following the Miami final, Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, also discussed the Big Three period, stressing that although his charge is playing at a high level, it is far too early to make comparisons.

“I don’t think we should compare this generation to the one that came before it, which had guys like Rafael Nadal, Novak, and Federer who are still competing. Cahill said, “It’s astounding what they were able to accomplish for so long.”

He declared, “I don’t think we will ever see that dominance again, under any circumstances.” Being able to coach through it, experience it firsthand, and watch it as a fan has, therefore, been amazing.

Cahill thinks that the Big Three’s standards have led to the caliber of play that we’re witnessing these days from players like Sinner, Alcaraz, and Holger Rune.

The players that are emerging right now are a direct product of their professionalism, the teams they assemble, and their relentless pursuit of little but meaningful improvements in every aspect of their games. They have sizable squads. They go through a fitness trainer, a couple of tennis teachers, a mental coach, and a physiotherapist,” he clarified.

“To maximize a player’s career, you’re trying to check every box. Thus, this generation is mimicking and engaging in essentially the same activities.

“However, I think it’s unfair to start comparing what guys like Carlos, Jannik, Holger, and others are doing now to the generation that came before them. They require time to get established. However, even though it’s a good level, they still need to win a lot more games before you can start comparing them to those youngsters.