Aliassime: 'The tough part is the level that Federer, Nadal, Djokovic still play at'

The suspension of the world tour due to the pandemic could damage the Next Gen exponents even more than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime, capable of entering the Top 20, has revealed that he has good feelings for when the season will resume.

In an interview with Eurosport's Tennis Legends vodcast with Mats Wilander and Boris Becker, Auger-Aliassime was asked when the young players will eventually start winning Grand Slams. "People need to see new faces win big tournaments," Auger-Aliassime replied. "I'm a part of that and there are players that are a bit older than me that are getting much closer, with [Daniil] Medvedev and [Stefanos] Tsitsipas and [Alexander] Zverev and Dominic [Thiem].

For sure, we have to push, but I think the tough part is the level that the top three guys still play at, and I think with the commitment and the knowledge and the high level, now they are pushing the limits in terms of how long they can sustain that level. You saw a top player like Stan [Wawrinka], who won his first Grand Slam at 29 or almost 30 years old. I am young, but I feel like there is something new to see [with the top three], and I think they are always pushing barriers in terms of playing well at their older age."

Meanwhile, former World number 1 Nadal believes tennis may not return in 2020, describing it as 'practically lost' due to the coronavirus pandemic. “I would sign up right now just to being ready for 2021,” Nadal stated. “I’m more concerned with the Australian Open [in January 2021] than with what happens later this year. I think 2020 has been practically lost. I’m hopeful of being able to start next year.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3ciL0qN