Becker asks young players to not hide behind 'Big 3' and start winning majors

Hiding behind the 'Big three' is not a great option for the Next-Gen players, who must start winning the Grand Slams because they are good enough, says legendary Boris Becker.

In an incredible period of domination, the trio of Roger Federer (20), Rafael Nadal (19) and Novak Djokovic (17) has won almost all Grand Slams in the last decade.

Only Juan Martin Del Potro, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray and Marin Cilic have managed to claim a major title outside the 'big three'.

Becker believes the young guns have the talent to outgun the legendary trio and a perfect example of that was Australian Open final where Austrian Dominic Thiem engaged Djokovic in a gruelling five-setter.

"We want the younger generation to pick up the pieces and it's happening, it's a process. Dominic Thiem pushed Novak Djokovic to five sets in Australia," Becker said while interacting with the Indian media on the sidelines of the Laureus Awards.

"There are a few talented players out there but the top-three are still good. It's easy to hide behind Federer, Nadal and Djokovic because they are so good that nobody is going to criticise you for losing to them. That's something you can take as an excuse sometimes.

"It's time that somebody tells the young players to start winning the majors because they are good enough. But it all starts with the right attitude and the right mindset."
"Physically, he is a unique player and it does not happen overnight. You have to work for it. And what is fascinating for me is that he is still very hungry. He has won so much but wants more."
"If you ask about the best of all times, it's difficult because tennis was played in the 70s, 80s and 90s on different surfaces, so you can't always compare with numbers how good a player was."
"Sofia Kenin won in Australia. A year ago, everybody was talking about Naomi Osaka."
"Serena coming back after becoming a mother is a big story. She did reach a couple of Grand Slam finals so she is one match away from her 24th major."