Robin Söderling on "Big Three": "Totally crazy that three of the best players of all time are playing at the same time"
In an interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet,Robin Söderling speaks about the dominance of the "Big Three", their possible heirs and his early career end.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Mar 09, 2020, 09:52 am
Ten titles on the ATP tour, advancing to fourth place in the world rankings are impressive statistics of an equally impressive career, but they are not the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Robin Söderling. No, it is what Robin Söderling achieved in the capital of France on May 31, 2009 that continues well beyond the end of his career. Robin Söderling was to contest his round of 16 at the French Open on the day in question and face an almost insurmountable hurdle. On the other side of the field, Rafael Nadal, four-time Roland Garros champion, was unbeaten in all 31 games that he had played in Paris.
Around three hours and thirty minutes later, the tennis world is one of the greatest surprises in its recent past. It was not the Mallorcan who marched inexorably towards title number five. No, it was the Swede Robin Söderling who was in his first major quarter-final, a few days later in his first Grand Slam final. However, 2009 should not be enough for the title, in the final Söderling Roger Federer was beaten.
It is therefore not surprising that the Swede was asked in the interview with Aftonbladet how often he is asked about this game: "All the time when I am out and meeting people. They come to me and say that they remember when I hit Nadal, "Which time?" I usually joke. I'm really proud of this game, but I have so many other memories from my career, "Söderling said.
The possible heirs of the "Big Three"
However, Rafael Nadal is just one of those three athletes who, in Söderling's time, almost dominated what happened on the ATP tour. Of course we are talking about the big three, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Not surprisingly, it is still the three men who are the most dominant players in the tennis circus. "It's hard to compare eras, but three of the best players of all time are playing at the same time ... It's totally insane. They are so damn good and were fantastic for the sport, although it was not so much fun for the rest of us. Nobody stood out like her, "said Söderling about the" Big Three ".
But Djokovic is 32, Nadal 33 and Federer ready 38 years old - the trio will not be on the tour forever. Robin Söderling has a very clear picture of who will be the players who will one day take over the legacy of the big three: "Thiem, Medvedev, Zverev, Tsitsipas - then I believe in Shapovalov, he reminds me a little of Federer We won't see a new Djokovic, Nadal or Federer for life, "Söderling is convinced.
"Wanted to play a few years longer"
But there is one less pleasant memory that some of Robin Söderling will probably have. The Swede was not even 27 when he had to play his last game on the ATP tour. He was diagnosed with Pfeiffer's glandular fever, a disease that was to prevent him from making a comeback on the tour for years. It was not until the end of 2015 that the Swede announced that he would end his career because this illness simply made it impossible for him to return. Söderling also speaks to Aftonbladet about this tough decision: "I wanted to play a few years longer. It was hard to see Cilic, Wawrinka and Nishikori Grand Slam final and win. They are fantastic players, but I have positive statistics against I felt all of them and for more than a year I was better than them, "said Söderling.
Stan Wawrinka can call himself a three-time major champion, an honor that Söderling could have been given: "With a small run I would also have a Grand Slam trophy in my closet, but who cares, it wouldn't have that much changed, "said the 35-year-old. Robin Söderling is currently the Davis Cup captain of the Swedes and is highly successful. His men around Mikael Ymer beat Chile 3-1 last weekend to qualify for the Davis Cup finals in Madrid in November.