Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner 'announcing themselves' as 'superstars,' says Roger Federer, is 'sad' for Rafael Nadal
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Updated 15/03/2024 at 17:25 GMT
Roger Federer believes the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are at the forefront of the next generation in men's tennis, but that the "next two of three years" will show who can step to the front of a competitive pack. Federer also admitted to feeling "sad" about the fortunes of Rafael Nadal, who has seen his comeback to tennis from injury stunted by new setbacks.
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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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