When Roger Federer took to the court docket for contemporary tennis on the Australian Open, the 20-time main champion was as diplomatic as ever, saying he wasn’t the one to remind Carlos Alcaraz of the issue of reaching a profession Grand Slam.
Federer gained the US Open 5 instances, Wimbledon 5 instances, Australia thrice, and eventually accomplished his profession Grand Slam in 2009 along with his victory at Roland Garros, the place Rafael Nadal dominated on clay.
Alcaraz, ranked No. 1, gained back-to-back Wimbledon titles in 2023 and 2024, two consecutive French Open titles in 2024 and final 12 months, and the US Open in 2022 and final 12 months. In Australia, his rival Jannik Sinner has gained twice, however he has by no means made it previous the quarter-finals.
“He is aware of that. It is like Rory (McIlroy) going to the Masters. You already know, it is tough,” Federer mentioned Thursday, shortly after the primary main draw of the 12 months. “His momentum adjustments going into the primary spherical after which it is a point-by-point mentality. That is what it’s.”
“Nevertheless it’s true that at his younger age he might already do a profession Grand Slam proper now. I imply, it might be loopy. … I hope he does that as a result of it might be an extremely particular second for the sport.”
Alcaraz wasn’t shy about telling the world he wished to win the Australian Open to finish a profession Grand Slam.
He would then turn into the ninth man in tennis historical past to win not less than one singles championship in every of the 4 most prestigious tournaments, and the youngest at 22 years and slightly below 9 months outdated on the finish of the match.
“That is my first match of the season, however that is actually my greatest purpose,” Alcaraz informed The Related Press. “I will do a pre-season only for the Australian Open. To get in actually fine condition for the Australian Open, bodily, mentally, tennis-wise. Every thing.”
When motion begins on the onerous courts at Melbourne Park on Sunday, each Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek can be chasing the one large trophy lacking from their collections.
However Federer identified that for Alcaraz, there have been 127 male gamers within the draw who thought in any other case, together with his long-time rival and 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. Federer additionally known as the present rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner, which has separated the previous eight majors, “an excellent one.”
“They play nice tennis,” Federer mentioned. “That French Open remaining was unreal. It ended within the craziest approach. It was most likely among the best matches we have ever had on this sport.”
The lacking piece in Sinner’s profession Grand Slam stays at Roland Garros, the place he misplaced to Alcaraz in final 12 months’s remaining regardless of holding three championship factors.
“It is positively motivation,” Sinner informed The Related Press. “We are going to put in quite a lot of effort to carry out our greatest in each match and be prepared for an important matches. That is what I would like.”
As critical as Alcaraz is about getting the job carried out in Melbourne, he can even joke about it.
“If you happen to commerce Yannik, you’ll commerce Roland Garros for Australia,” Alcaraz mentioned with a hearty snicker. “To be trustworthy, I would commerce it.”
Federer is visiting the Australian Open for the primary time since shedding within the semifinals in 2020 earlier than retiring in 2022, and can play a number one position within the match’s first gala opening ceremony on Saturday night time.
He wouldn’t weigh in on hypothesis that Serena Williams is contemplating a return, though the 23-time main champion has denied the rumors. Williams posted on social media final month that she was “not coming again” after a spokesperson for the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company introduced that the 23-time Grand Slam champion had registered with the game’s drug testing company. That is step one for any participant seeking to come out of retirement.
“I imply, I heard that she went right into a doping program, after which I heard that she mentioned she wasn’t going again,” Federer mentioned. “I imply, clearly it should be unbelievable for the sport. … Serena coming again is simply legendary.
“If she decides to not do it, or she may give herself a alternative. For my part, it is nice to have selections in life. Let’s examine what she does and look forward to her announcement or not.”
