Roger Federer is in Berlin for the 2024 Laver Cup, and so is Carlos Alcaraz, and ahead of the tournament, the Swiss Ace talked about the young Spaniard.
Federer is the first player of the legendary Big Three to retire from the sport, having dominated tennis for a very long time. He didn't dominate alone because of his two main rivals, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, but he knows what it feels like to be almost impossible to beat.
He also has a very sharp eye when it comes to tennis, in particular, so there are a lot of things that stand out for him when he watches Alcaraz play. Sharing a practice session with him a couple of years ago gives him a chance to compare because he saw the youngster up close as a junior, and now he'll have a chance to see him up close at a time when he is considered one of the best players in the world.
Speaking to the AO Show, on-site ahead of the 2024 Laver Cup, Federer shared some of his thoughts on Alcaraz, whom he considers a very special player due to everything that he brings to the tennis courts, including his power and overall physical capabilities.
"I think his intensity, the power in his shots. Already his physical capabilities that he has - obviously he has to be careful that he doesn't run basically for every ball because it's not necessary."
"He'll learn that with age and with time. But also very strong when it matters the most. Thinking back now when he beat Novak in the Wimbledon finals."
Seeing Alcaraz beat Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon Championships final was a fascinating moment for many fans because almost nobody saw it coming. He had just started playing on grass properly a few weeks before that, and he was already that good, beating a player who hadn't lost on the Centre Court in 10 years.
That's something an ordinary player likely couldn't pull off, and having lost to Djokovic on that court not too long ago, Federer knows how special that was.
"Fifth set, you know this is stuff we know Novak Djokovic thrives and plays at his absolute best, and for Carlos to come through that."
In addition, the Swiss player is excited to see Alcaraz play live because he's never had a chance to do that before. In Berlin, it will be the first time Federer will see him play live.
"For me that's when he showed like he's the guy and he's going to be around for a very long time. I'm actually very excited to see Carlos play here because I haven't seen Carlos play live ever."
Playing in front of the 20-time major winner will certainly be hugely important for Alcaraz as well. He famously said as a kid that he idolized Federer. He's never really grown out of that stage because he keeps the photo they took back in 2019 in his room.