Nadal on whether young guns are ready to take the mantle

May 13, 2021
Style Points

Look of the Week: Zendaya aces two looks for Challengers premiere, Venus, Genie & more hit LA red carpet

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios

Naomi Osaka reflects on the lessons of her past, the reality of her present and hopes for the future

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
Social

“Lucky charm” Ons Jabeur snaps five-match losing streak in Stuttgart

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
Pop Culture

Zendaya wants to meet Coco Gauff, while her grandma is 'so excited' for 'Challengers'

By Baseline Staff Apr 17, 2024
The Business of Tennis

Serena Williams open to owning WNBA team, calls women’s sport “overly safe bet”

By Baseline Staff Apr 16, 2024
Your Game

Tales from the stringing room: Strange requests, racing against the clock and more

By Jon Levey Apr 16, 2024
The Business of Tennis

Zheng Qinwen wins in Stuttgart, picks up Lancôme deal alongside world No. 1 Iga Swiatek

By David Kane Apr 16, 2024
Pop Culture

ATP stars pick their 'GMOAT': Greatest Musician of All Time

By Baseline Staff Apr 15, 2024
Social

Mikael Ymer changes his mind on return to tennis amid anti-doping ban: "Retirement was boring"

By Stephanie Livaudais Apr 15, 2024

Nadal on whether young guns are ready to take the mantle

Published May 13, 2021

Does 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal think that the young guns are ready to take up the Big 3 mantle? Let's see, he says.

The Spaniard was asked during his presser following an opening-round victory over talented 19-year-old Jannik Sinner at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.

"Let's see in three weeks, or in four weeks," he answered. "Was not the case yet, but why not? Hopefully not, but anything can happen. We're older and they're always better and better."

"That was like the most polite trash-talk version I've ever heard," said 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick of Nadal's comments.

Advertising

In his third-round encounter against 22-year-old Denis Shapovalov, another gifted youngster, on Thursday, Nadal had his back against the wall for the better part of the match. The Canadian was up a set and a break, and had another break in the third but couldn't close. Not even two match points could get him over the finish line as Nadal pulled off a Houdini escape for the ages, rallying to take the match, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

Next up for the nine-time Foro Italico champion is Alexander Zverev, who took Nadal out last week en route to the winner's circle in Madrid, after overcoming former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in three sets.