Mouratoglou, if even Nadal answers you... you must have done something wrong

Pedro de Pablos | 5 Feb 2026 | 20.22

Mouratoglou, if even Nadal answers you... you've done something wrong

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Patrick Mouratoglou works as a part-time coach and professional commentator. The renowned coach is the master of unpopular opinions, and the latest has been asserting that Sinner is better than the Big Three. His slips, to call them somehow, have gone to the extent that Rafa Nadal has responded to him through his social networks, and when even Nadal speaks up, you must be doing something wrong.

Mouratoglou has found on Instagram a perfect outlet to air his outlandish ideas. Saying that women should play five sets in Grand Slams, that past tennis players wouldn’t stand a chance against today's... It seemed like he had hit the ceiling, like he had jumped into the pool enough, but no. According to him, Sinner is an upgraded version of Djokovic, just like Carlos Alcaraz is a 2.0 version with more physicality than Federer. A very short memory.

The worst part has been his arguments, based on physicality and aggressiveness. Why mention all of Djokovic’s records, for which you would need to write several news pieces like this one, or Nadal’s mentality, or even the path paved by Federer with his perfect tennis so that players like Sinner or Alcaraz are where they are now... In short, a very short memory, too short.

Tennis evolves, but we must not forget the importance of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer

It's true that tennis evolves, like any sport, and probably in a few years, we might discuss which generation was better. The ball is hit faster now, players are more complete, and Alcaraz himself is setting age records at a breakneck pace, but it’s still early. In fact, it is still early even for Carlos and Jannik, to whom this comparison will only be a burden until their numbers prove otherwise.

Sinner isn’t Djokovic 2.0, Sinner is Sinner. With his flaws, his virtues, and a talent that will make him a legend. On the other hand, I still remember the time when every week dozens of articles would come out saying ‘Alcaraz, the new Nadal’. Both publicly stated that these comparisons weren't good, but good old Patrick continues on his path. The result? Even Rafa himself has dropped some laughing emojis on his post.

The good news is that the king sport of the racket doesn't depend on these opinions but on the magic we witnessed at the Australian Open when a supposedly finished Djokovic defeated precisely that 2.0 version that many thought would surpass him. Legends are meant to be respected, especially when it comes to the top three in history. They are, surely, idols for 99% of the circuit.

Patrick Mouratoglou is a lost cause

Patrick is a lost cause because these types of statements are a cry out to remind us that he's still there, as if a coach of his caliber needed that. Nadal's response is surprising, just as Djokovic's silence is, likely not one to hold back in these situations. Knowing him, he will eventually speak up. Federer is different, probably hasn't even heard these remarks, oblivious to this kind of controversy.

The moral of this whole affair is that we must take care of the tennis players. Both from the past and the present. Showing respect to some and avoiding burdening others with stones too heavy to bear. But who knows, maybe in 15 years, we'll see Mouratoglou back in the spotlight to claim that a new number one is better than Alcaraz and Sinner after barely five years in the circuit. Life is a constant evolution, but some things will never change.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mouratoglou, si hasta Nadal te contesta... algo mal has hecho

ATP