Goffin compares the era of the Big Three with the current one: "Before, tennis was more tactical"

Carlos Navarro | 23 Dec 2025 | 13.38

Goffin talked about the differences between eras on the circuit. Source: Getty

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David Goffin is spending his last days on the professional circuit squeezing every ounce of magic remaining in his wand. The Belgian's 2025 season was erratic, yet he delivered stellar moments and victories that showcase his immense quality, notably his triumph over Carlos Alcaraz in Miami as the cherry on top. After becoming a father 14 months ago, he is reluctant to hang up his racket and still enjoys his true passion.

He also did this at the UTS in London, a good opportunity to gain momentum for 2026, where he will continue encountering new faces and facing off against younger generations. Few voices are as authoritative as David's in analyzing the changes that tennis has undergone over his last two decades: from facing Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic from his teenage years to his tennis maturity... to now facing the unlimited power of names like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, now well into his thirties.

"It's difficult to compare, but I have faced both generations... and I would say that now, at a physical level, most players are much stronger and better prepared than before. Nowadays, physical trainers and overall preparation are better. You notice how everyone slides on hard courts, hits harder than before, and are faster than before. I would say that's the major difference between the two generations," notes the Central European tennis player in a very interesting analysis.

Goffin states that there isn't as much change at a tennis level and points to materials as the main culprits for the stylistic shift

Many players have blamed the deterioration of balls for the power-based style that prevails in today's tennis. The weight of conditions has had an impact on the collective imagination, but for Goffin, there is a more significant reason for the current style of play: the changes in materials of the rackets, allowing players to hit the ball at supersonic speeds.

"Tennis is more or less the same; both generations are incredibly talented. Tennis has improved because players nowadays hit the ball harder and are faster. If you look at how Carlos and Jannik hit the ball, it's incredible, they can produce winning shots from anywhere; before, tennis was a bit more tactical, whereas now players go for the point from minute one, which is amazing to see," states David emphatically, continuing his reflection before concluding the debate. How to adapt your tennis, therefore, to this style of play that diverges from tactics and focuses more on power?

"You have to be ready physically. Surfaces and balls have changed, so you need to adjust some materials of your racket to withstand that pressure. If you look at the rackets Roger played with when he was younger, and compare them to Jannik's and Carlos's current ones... they are completely different. Materials have changed. You have to make changes to stay relevant and continue improving your game." We will see if this evolution remains evident in Goffin, who will enter 2026 with the hope of staying in the limelight... before beginning to contemplate the dreaded term "retirement".