The Big Three have dominated the last decade and a half of the sport, winning up to 60 Grand Slam titles. Many believe that their opponents were unlucky during this time, not having had the chance to win as much as they deserved.
Andy Murray was for many years the most valid alternative to the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, so much so that he rose to the top of the ATP rankings in 2016.
The Scottish phenomenon has three Majors in his record, not to mention his triumph in the final five years ago. Injuries have plagued the Briton’s career in recent seasons, having kept him away from retirement ahead of his life-saving hip surgery.
Even if he did not manage to find the same level as in the past, the former world number 1 is back on the tennis court and can still take some satisfaction.
In an interview given during the Antwerp tournament, Murray was asked if he was happy to play at the same time as Roger, Rafa and Nole.
Andy Murray on the Big Three:
“Do I regret being born at the same time as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic? It’s a difficult question,” said Murray.
“Obviously, on the one hand, I regret it because I tell myself that I could have won a lot more if they hadn’t been there or if I had been 5 or 6 years younger.
I would have had more opportunities. On the other hand, I have had the opportunity to play and challenge the best players in history in the biggest tournaments. “The Scotsman thinks that facing such high quality opposition in so many big matches helped him improve as a player.
“I was able to face Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, Roger Federer at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and the US Open and always in the final, even at the Olympics,” said Murray.
“Obviously I didn’t win all of these games but I won a few. I feel lucky to have been able to play against them, they allowed me to improve by setting the bar so high.”
Andy Murray was also asked about the young players most likely to dominate the circuit in the years to come. “For me at the moment Medvedev is best equipped to win on hard,” said Murray.
“He just won the US Open, but before that his results were great. I think his game is more complete than the others, but on clay it’s tough
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