Alcaraz, Sinner ‘already announcing themselves’ as ‘superstars,’ says Federer

Roger Federer says the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are “already announcing themselves” as “superstars” of tennis, but expressed his belief that the game’s young guns are still “recalibrating” their games as they vie for multiple slams.

The so-called ‘Big Three’ of Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have – to date – hoovered up 66 majors between them, an astonishing testament to their dominance of men’s tennis since the early 2000s.

Federer retired in 2022 with 20 Grand Slams to his name in an emotional send-off at The Laver Cup, but Nadal – although struggling with injuries – and Djokovic are still active, and seeking out further accolades in the latter stages of their careers.

But it’s the next generation to whom the game will eventually belong, and Federer namechecked Alcaraz and Sinner as standard-bearers of this emerging group.

“I don’t like to put the pressure on these players because honestly aiming for 20 [major victories] was not something I did, Rafa did, or Novak did,” Federer told GQ.

He continued: “Of course you have the players that you think are going to win multiple slams. Somebody has to win slams and naturally they’re going to win them nicely and do it perfectly and they’re going to be the ones carrying the game and become the superstars of our sport, which some are already announcing themselves to do: [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Jannik] Sinner, and so forth.

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“And there’s a lot of momentum right now also to see who’s going to be the next guy. So I think the next two to three years, they’re going to give us a really good idea because I think there are good players right now, but I still think they are recalibrating their game to understand: Okay, how can I beat the best in the business on their best surface?”

Federer was alongside Nadal and Djokovic for Team Europe at The Laver Cup for his retirement event, a direct contrast to the era-defining rivalry they had on court.

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Indeed, many still view the trio as interwoven – and Federer spoke about how much he keeps up with the fortunes of his former foes.

The Swiss said: “I mean obviously you’re aware when they’re in the finals or you’re aware when Rafa comes back or you’re aware when Novak breaks another record. It’s all good, you know? But I will not set my schedule aside, like, well, ‘this match I have to see’.

“But obviously I’ve followed it and I love to see that, especially Novak’s been going from strength to strength. It keeps on going. And Rafa obviously, I felt sad for him that he has not been able to play nearly as much or at all to what he wanted to do.

“I hope that he can do what he wants to do in the summer, because even though I have a good feeling for him, and I know he pulled out of Indian Wells and Doha and all that stuff, but I still am very hopeful that he can get back on the train and ride it.”

But does Federer miss playing competitively now he is retired?

“I get that question a lot, and I don’t miss it,” he said. “I really don’t. I feel really at peace.

“I think it’s also because I know that my knee and my body and my mind don’t allow me to be out there. Do I feel like, ‘Oh, I could hit that shot?’ Yeah, OK: Maybe I could right now.

“But I feel like I squeezed the lemon out. I tried everything I had. And I’m so at peace.”

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Federer calls on Tsitsipas to ‘take it to next level’ and bounce back from dip in form

Roger Federer has said he hopes to see Stefanos Tsitsipas “taking it to the next level” after the Greek’s recent dip in form.

The 25-year-old reached a career high of third in the ATP Tour rankings in 2021 but slipped out of the top 10 earlier this year following a run of poor results.

It means there are no players in the top 10 of the men’s rankings that deploy a single-handed backhand but more pertinently, if Tsitsipas continues his descent, his tournament draws will become harder.

The Greek reached the final of the Australian Open in 2023 but exited the same event in the fourth round this year, losing in four sets to Taylor Fritz.

A defeat in the semi-finals at the Los Cabos Open to Casper Ruud followed, before he was beaten by Alex de Minaur in the last eight of the Mexican Open.

Tsitsipas then lost 6-2 6-4 to Jiri Lehecka in the last 16 at Indian Wells, meaning his wait for a first Masters 1000 title since August 2022 goes on.

Speaking to Greek outlet Cosmote TV, Federer was asked what he thought of Tsitsipas’ game.

“Good, I mean, I obviously lost against him a bunch of times and I think he’s a great player, but I would like to see him taking it to the next level. So I wish him very well,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion said.

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‘It’s a strange feeling’ – Djokovic opens up on missing rivalry with Federer and Nadal

“Of course, Tsitsipas is still doing well, and I hope he can do great this year and have another breakthrough.”

Lehecka is the first Czech to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP Tour Masters 1000 event and admitted it was his “aggressiveness” that helped him prevail and set up a meeting with Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Sinner, the Australian Open champion, dug deep to beat Ben Shelton in the last 16 for his 18th victory in a row.

In the top half of the draw, Tommy Paul and Casper Ruud will square off for a place in the last four in California, with the winner to take on Daniil Medvedev or Holger Rune.

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Federer dazzles on basketball court in front of NBA superstar Curry

Roger Federer may have hung up his tennis racquet, but his sporting smarts are still razor sharp as he showed on a visit to the Chase Center to meet the Golden State Warriors.

The tennis season is well underway, with the stars of the ATP and WTA strutting their stuff at Indian Wells – with Federer’s great rival from his playing days Novak Djokovic opening his challenge with a three-set win over Aleksandar Vukic.

Federer strutted his stuff in front of NBA superstar Steph Curry and Warriors coach Steve Kerr, and did not disgrace himself.

Curry is no stranger to sporting crossover, being a golfer of some standing, and Federer showed he has the qualities to flourish on a basketball court by draining a series of baskets.

Four shots, four successful baskets was Federer’s total – all while sporting a leather jacket.

The Swiss master was all about style and substance during his playing days, and that seems to be continuing in retirement.

After draining a shot from the free-throw line, Federer opted to stop while at the top of his game.

“Okay, we stop,” Federer said with a broad smile on his face. “I made four from four. That was so lucky.”

A man who transcended tennis in a career that yielded 20 Grand Slam titles, we are convinced luck had nothing to do with it.

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Alcaraz of same ‘calibre’ as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, says Ferrer

David Ferrer believes Carlos Alcaraz is of the same “calibre” as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and backed his fellow Spaniard to rediscover the kind of form that saw him clinch two Grand Slams at the age of just 20.

Alcaraz, who also became the youngest player to ascend to the top of the world rankings after his 2022 US Open triumph, hasn’t lifted silverware since his thrilling five-set win over Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final.

The Spaniard has made just one final since and exited the Australian Open in the quarter-finals after losing to Alexander Zverev in four sets in Melbourne.

Still the world No. 2, Ferrer has no doubt his compatriot will return to the winners’ circle and pointed to the fact he has already achieved so much.

Ferrer was an established player on tour when Nadal and Djokovic came through the ranks and added that he doesn’t remember them being as prolific as Alcaraz in the early part of their careers.

“It is logical that we want him to win everything and in the last year and a half he has played at a very high level, having won two Grand Slams,” Ferrer said.

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“At the Australian Open he was playing well, but he had a match in which he did not start well against a top 10 [player] and, among players of that stature, you can’t lose anything.

“Now Carlos is in a year of transition, a year where it is logical that there will be more pressure because you have to maintain the high level and also because his rivals know him better.

“That’s why I say that he is a special player, of the calibre of Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic. But he still has a lot of time and you can’t ask him to win everything.

“I don’t remember Rafa or Djokovic winning everything at that age.”

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Best in the world, but is Alcaraz favourite for the French Open?

There was an amusing exchange after Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling Madrid Open semi-final when the red-hot 19-year-old was asked who the best player in the world is.

“Well, Djokovic, because he’s No. 1,” was Alcaraz’s answer.

Pressed again on who is the best player in the world at this moment, Alcaraz said: “I’m not going to tell you that. The one that I know, I’m not going to tell you. I was able to beat No. 1, but still I’m ranked No. 9. I still have eight players in front of me to be No. 1.”

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Eight is now down to five after Alcaraz won his second Masters title in Madrid. And any debate over his current standing in the men’s game seems less challenging to answer.

“Right now you are the best player in the world,” said Zverev after getting outplayed by Alcaraz in the Madrid Open final.
Since losing his opener in Monte Carlo, Alcaraz, 19, has won 10 matches in a row to secure titles in Barcelona and Madrid. Even though he beat both Nadal and Djokovic in Madrid, his demolition of Zverev was arguably Alcaraz’s most impressive performance. Zverev, who blasted the ATP afterwards for “disgraceful” scheduling that left him short of sleep, has won Madrid twice, including last year, and had never lost on the main court. He was completely outplayed by Alcaraz in a one-sided 62-minute final.

The stats behind Alcaraz’s stunning season are incredible:

  • Youngest player to beat both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
  • First player to beat Nadal and Djokovic in same clay event
  • Youngest top-10 player since Nadal in 2005
  • Youngest top-20 player since Andrei Medvedev in 1993
  • Second-youngest player to win two Masters titles (Nadal, 18, in 2005)
  • Youngest player to win five titles since Nadal in 2004-05
  • Youngest player since 1990 to beat three top-five players at same event
  • A 5-0 record in finals

Has Alcaraz elevated himself into favourite for the French Open?

There’s little to count against him, except he hasn’t yet done it at a Grand Slam. He’s won some long matches on the ATP Tour, including the two longest this year, but two-week majors with potential five-set battles against Nadal and Djokovic are another challenge. Alcaraz has only played in the main draw at five Grand Slams and has only made it past the third round once. Few players have won a major at the sixth attempt, although Nadal did so at the French Open in 2005.

What’s so impressive about Alcaraz is that his game already seems to have it all. When he started making waves last year his raw power and attacking approach stood out. Add to that arguably the best drop shot on tour, quick movement around the court, a strong net game, and a smart mind, and you have a seriously good player. The power is there still – against Nadal and Djokovic he hit a combined 88 winners compared to 34 from his opponents – but Alcaraz is also thinking more about how to win points. He caused Djokovic big problems with his kick serve and was hugely successful when serve and volleying in Madrid, winning 17 of 18 points. He also has the hunger to continue to get better.

Zverev takes aim at ATP scheduling following loss to Alcaraz in Madrid Open final

“I think that I have to improve everything still. I have always said that you can improve everything. You never reach a limit,” he said after winning in Madrid.

“Look at Rafa, Djokovic, [Roger] Federer, all of them improve and they have things to improve. That’s why they are so good, and that’s why they are so much [of the] time up there, because they don’t stop. They keep on working and improving.

“That’s what I want to do. I want to keep on progressing. I have really good shots. I don’t say that I don’t have them, but I know that I can improve them and they can be even better.”

Just as players have had to work out ways to try and beat Nadal and Djokovic in the past, now the two greats will have to study how they can conquer Alcaraz. Neither will be sitting still after Madrid.

Nadal and Djokovic are set to play this week in Rome, where either one or both of them have reached the final every year since 2005, while Alcaraz will be taking a week off as he prepares for the French Open. Nadal will take encouragement from the fact he pushed Alcaraz close in Madrid, even though he is working his way back from a rib injury and the quicker conditions do not suit his game as much as in Rome and Paris. Djokovic looks to be building momentum and produced his best performances of the season before going down to Alcaraz in three sets. Had he converted more than just one of six break-point chances against the 19-year-old then the final result might have been different.

Whether Alcaraz is the favourite for the French Open, his stunning rise represents a serious threat to Djokovic and Nadal as they try to sweep up more Grand Slam titles. Nadal said it’s “obvious” there is now a changing of the guard after losing to his fellow Spaniard, and Alcaraz might soon move above Daniil Medvedev, Zverev and Tsitsipas as the biggest rival to Djokovic and Nadal at majors. It will be fascinating to see whether world No. 2 Medvedev, who is returning from injury next week in Geneva, Tsitsipas, who is 0-3 against Alcaraz, and Zverev, who not that long ago was being talked about as a member of the new ‘Big Three’, can counter.

All three have question marks ahead of the French Open, while Alcaraz is bursting with confidence.

“I think I’m ready to win a Grand Slam,” said Alcaraz after winning Madrid. “I think I’m ready to go for it. It’s a goal for me this year, to try to get my first Grand Slam. I’m going to work for it, let’s see what’s going to happen at Roland-Garros.”

Last year Alcaraz became the youngest player since Djokovic in 2005 to win a match at the French Open, and the youngest player to reach the third round since 1992. If he wins in Paris this year he would be the first male teenager to lift a Grand Slam title since Nadal won the French Open in 2005.

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Best in the world, but is Alcaraz favourite for the French Open?

There was an amusing exchange after Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling Madrid Open semi-final when the red-hot 19-year-old was asked who the best player in the world is.

“Well, Djokovic, because he’s No. 1,” was Alcaraz’s answer.

Pressed again on who is the best player in the world at this moment, Alcaraz said: “I’m not going to tell you that. The one that I know, I’m not going to tell you. I was able to beat No. 1, but still I’m ranked No. 9. I still have eight players in front of me to be No. 1.”

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Eight is now down to five after Alcaraz won his second Masters title in Madrid. And any debate over his current standing in the men’s game seems less challenging to answer.

“Right now you are the best player in the world,” said Zverev after getting outplayed by Alcaraz in the Madrid Open final.
Since losing his opener in Monte Carlo, Alcaraz, 19, has won 10 matches in a row to secure titles in Barcelona and Madrid. Even though he beat both Nadal and Djokovic in Madrid, his demolition of Zverev was arguably Alcaraz’s most impressive performance. Zverev, who blasted the ATP afterwards for “disgraceful” scheduling that left him short of sleep, has won Madrid twice, including last year, and had never lost on the main court. He was completely outplayed by Alcaraz in a one-sided 62-minute final.

The stats behind Alcaraz’s stunning season are incredible:

  • Youngest player to beat both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
  • First player to beat Nadal and Djokovic in same clay event
  • Youngest top-10 player since Nadal in 2005
  • Youngest top-20 player since Andrei Medvedev in 1993
  • Second-youngest player to win two Masters titles (Nadal, 18, in 2005)
  • Youngest player to win five titles since Nadal in 2004-05
  • Youngest player since 1990 to beat three top-five players at same event
  • A 5-0 record in finals

Has Alcaraz elevated himself into favourite for the French Open?

There’s little to count against him, except he hasn’t yet done it at a Grand Slam. He’s won some long matches on the ATP Tour, including the two longest this year, but two-week majors with potential five-set battles against Nadal and Djokovic are another challenge. Alcaraz has only played in the main draw at five Grand Slams and has only made it past the third round once. Few players have won a major at the sixth attempt, although Nadal did so at the French Open in 2005.

What’s so impressive about Alcaraz is that his game already seems to have it all. When he started making waves last year his raw power and attacking approach stood out. Add to that arguably the best drop shot on tour, quick movement around the court, a strong net game, and a smart mind, and you have a seriously good player. The power is there still – against Nadal and Djokovic he hit a combined 88 winners compared to 34 from his opponents – but Alcaraz is also thinking more about how to win points. He caused Djokovic big problems with his kick serve and was hugely successful when serve and volleying in Madrid, winning 17 of 18 points. He also has the hunger to continue to get better.

Zverev takes aim at ATP scheduling following loss to Alcaraz in Madrid Open final

“I think that I have to improve everything still. I have always said that you can improve everything. You never reach a limit,” he said after winning in Madrid.

“Look at Rafa, Djokovic, [Roger] Federer, all of them improve and they have things to improve. That’s why they are so good, and that’s why they are so much [of the] time up there, because they don’t stop. They keep on working and improving.

“That’s what I want to do. I want to keep on progressing. I have really good shots. I don’t say that I don’t have them, but I know that I can improve them and they can be even better.”

Just as players have had to work out ways to try and beat Nadal and Djokovic in the past, now the two greats will have to study how they can conquer Alcaraz. Neither will be sitting still after Madrid.

Nadal and Djokovic are set to play this week in Rome, where either one or both of them have reached the final every year since 2005, while Alcaraz will be taking a week off as he prepares for the French Open. Nadal will take encouragement from the fact he pushed Alcaraz close in Madrid, even though he is working his way back from a rib injury and the quicker conditions do not suit his game as much as in Rome and Paris. Djokovic looks to be building momentum and produced his best performances of the season before going down to Alcaraz in three sets. Had he converted more than just one of six break-point chances against the 19-year-old then the final result might have been different.

Whether Alcaraz is the favourite for the French Open, his stunning rise represents a serious threat to Djokovic and Nadal as they try to sweep up more Grand Slam titles. Nadal said it’s “obvious” there is now a changing of the guard after losing to his fellow Spaniard, and Alcaraz might soon move above Daniil Medvedev, Zverev and Tsitsipas as the biggest rival to Djokovic and Nadal at majors. It will be fascinating to see whether world No. 2 Medvedev, who is returning from injury next week in Geneva, Tsitsipas, who is 0-3 against Alcaraz, and Zverev, who not that long ago was being talked about as a member of the new ‘Big Three’, can counter.

All three have question marks ahead of the French Open, while Alcaraz is bursting with confidence.

“I think I’m ready to win a Grand Slam,” said Alcaraz after winning Madrid. “I think I’m ready to go for it. It’s a goal for me this year, to try to get my first Grand Slam. I’m going to work for it, let’s see what’s going to happen at Roland-Garros.”

Last year Alcaraz became the youngest player since Djokovic in 2005 to win a match at the French Open, and the youngest player to reach the third round since 1992. If he wins in Paris this year he would be the first male teenager to lift a Grand Slam title since Nadal won the French Open in 2005.

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