World No. 17 Frances Tiafoe believes that in today`s competitive landscape, any player has the potential to win a Grand Slam tournament. The American also suggested that the increased difficulty in winning multiple consecutive Masters events isn`t primarily due to a demanding schedule, but rather the overall high level of play.
“I think the reason isn`t the calendar, but simply the level,” Tiafoe stated. “Everyone is roughly at the same level, and on any given day, anyone can beat anyone. It`s an interesting time right now. Today`s tennis reminds me of the period from 2000 to 2004 or 2005. Everyone has a chance.”
He elaborated, “Anyone can win a Slam. Anyone can win big tournaments. It`s quite likely that each Masters tournament in the season will have a different winner. I`m almost certain of this.”
“Maybe Alcaraz and Sinner will win two or three [Masters],” he continued. “But anything is possible. Nobody is scared of anyone. There aren`t clear dominant leaders, except maybe for Sinner and Alcaraz. I respect those two. But everyone else, if they don`t perform at their absolute maximum, can lose.”
Reflecting on his career, Tiafoe added, “I witnessed an exceptional era of tennis [referring to the dominance of the Big Three]. It`s satisfying to realize that now I can play in a quarter-final or semi-final at a Slam, and it`s not seen as the absolute peak of my aspirations. Because when I was 20, I lost to Rafa [Nadal] in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, and I understood beforehand that I wouldn`t be able to beat him.”
“But now you can compete with anyone. I truly believe anyone can win a Grand Slam.”
Rupert Hartwell