Former player who beat Big Three compares Alcaraz to legends

Gilles Simon was one of many supremely talented tennis stars plagued by the era they were born into.

Even though Simon only picked up 14 ATP titles, it’s fair to wonder what he might have achieved if his prime hadn’t coincided with such a dominant group.

He’s been promoting the upcoming Roland Garros eSeries competition, powered by Renault, and told Tennishead that he has no regrets about when he played.

Simon even said he feels fortunate to have faced – and beaten – all three members of that trio. He spoke about what set them apart from the rest of their generation, and also gave his thoughts on where men’s tennis is headed next.

Gilles Simon reflects on the challenges of facing Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal

“They were all very special and all very unique,” he began, describing this legendary trio like ‘movie characters’, each with their own personality, play style and appeal.

Even with a staggering 66 Grand Slam titles between them, Simon managed to register wins against each. While his overall record wasn’t in his favour, he still enjoyed every opportunity to test himself against such high-level opposition.

He argued: “As a player, to play against them was fantastic because I like to have the biggest challenge. They were just too strong. I played against Rafael in Roland Garros when he was at his best.”

While recognising that it may not have been the wisest choice for someone hoping to pad their trophy cabinet, he explained how playing these legends gave him a sense of achievement that went beyond title counts.

The 41-year-old admitted: “So, obviously not the same as winning a major, but sometimes [the same] as winning a title. You know, I won 14 titles on tour and I didn’t beat them 14 times.

This is another way of highlighting just how dominant the Big Three were during their primes. But despite Simon’s high praise for them, Martina Navratilova once chose her own GOAT — and it wasn’t one of those three.

How Carlos Alcaraz stacks up against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

So it made sense to ask Simon how he thinks the Big Three measure up to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, especially since he retired just as the New Two were starting to break through.

When asked if they could challenge the legacy built by the Big Three, Simon said it was possible but that several factors would need to fall into place.

He explained: “It’s very possible for different reasons. because you have to be very good, obviously, and they are. You also need a bit of luck, depending on when you compete, against who, how many players.

“Are there two players that are going to join them on the same level, three, four, five or not, or zero?”

Fitness also played an important role in his analysis: “Sometimes your body. Of course there is a part where you have to be a professional and do your best to play until you are 35 and whatever but sometimes it’s just genetics. You know sometimes you have something terrible happening then it’s over.”

Simon continued: “Because you need to play it for 15 years at least if you want to get 25 Slams or whatever takes time.

“So that’s why I say it’s the motivation you have to keep it then they’re gonna have a wife and maybe you have the kids and see how it is. You know it’s a long way that’s what I’m saying. It’s a long way.”

Even with those challenges in mind though Simon still has faith in their potential: “So when you see from now and especially from Carlos’ point of view he’s young he has already a lot of records going there and can see the way but it’s long and never know what gonna happen.

Gilles Simon discusses Roland Garros eSeries with bumper prize

The interview centred around Simon’s role as an ambassador for Roland Garros, a tournament that understandably means a lot to him.

And given his well-known love of video games, the rise of the tournament’s eSeries event was a natural fit for the retired player.

This year’s competition is set to draw over 500,000 players. The winner will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris to play in the live final at Roland-Garros Stadium on May 25th, competing for a €5,000 prize pool.

Describing what makes this event special, Simon said: “It’s great because it’s a special prize, really a special prize. It’s something you can’t buy. Most of the time, it’s about money or trophy or whatever, but coming to the French Open – being there in the auditorium – being a guest and enjoying all the atmosphere around is kind of unique.”

Simon also highlighted how events like this could help expand tennis by bringing new fans into the sport.

Referring to Tennis Clash and its growing popularity, Simon said: “It’s getting bigger every year. And I was not surprised because again I play a lot of video games so I know if I can recognize when it’s a nice game.”

“Maybe I was one of the first people to download – for example – Clash Of Clans… And you can see directly that this game is going to work because you play a lot and experience games from different platforms and cultures too,” he explained.

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