Roger Federer says there is a 'noticeable' generational change in tennis after Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff successes

ByEurosport

Published 22/09/2023 at 11:23 GMT

Roger Federer will be in attendance at the Laver Cup in Vancouver, Canada, this weekend. Speaking ahead of the tournament - live on Eurosport - Federer has been giving his thoughts on the recent successes of Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff. He believes there is a generational change happening in tennis right now and that the sport as a whole is in a healthy place.

Roger Federer says there is a "really noticeable" generational change happening in men's and women's tennis.

Federer was the first of 'the Big 3' to retire from men's tennis following an emotion-filled conclusion to the 2022 Laver Cup in London, England.

This year, two of tennis young stars have won Grand Slam titles. Carlos Alcaraz, 20, beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final while USA's Coco Gauff, 19, lifted her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open by overcoming Australian Open 2023 champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (25).

ATP Rome

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

06/05/2024 at 13:10

Federer, who won 22 Grand Slam titles and 103 in total in his decorated career, believes the "records will always tumble".

"A lot still going on in tennis of course, as always," he said.

"The records will always tumble. Or just the stories always rewritten. And just for example the US Open was great with the record [24 Grand Slam titles] of course by Novak Djokovic.

"And of course I was also very happy about Coco Gauff’s victory. I've known her for five years, when she was very young, and this was a great victory for her.

"We have a new world No.1 in women's tennis [Sabalenka], Alcaraz, who won Wimbledon.

"And just the new generational change is really noticeable. It's a bit of a shame for me that I haven't been able to play against a few in the last couple of years.

"But I think it's great what's going on in tennis at the moment and I still follow it very, very closely."

• Federer hints at future Laver Cup captaincy role ahead of 2023 edition in Vancouver - 'That could be nice'
• Federer's excited for 'superstar combinations' in doubles at the 2023 Laver Cup, but what are the dream pairings?

Federer says tennis is in a healthy place right now and that more new players will continue to break up the dominance previously maintained by himself, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the men's game.

Federer said: "I think it’s still going well, not that there would somehow be a slump after I retired or that Rafa is injured at the moment.

"The story continues and that will always be the case. Tennis will always be played by new players but at the same time, the way I see these players moving on the court now is unbelievable. And I think many more will come.

"The new players have interesting personalities and tennis is still right up there in the world of sport, and that is beautiful for me to see."

Eight Wimbledon titles? Most weeks in a row as No. 1? Wilander ranks Federer's achievements

Federer also reveals what he has been up to during his retirement.

“I'm surprised how much I actually still have going on," he said.

"I was thinking, so okay, you stop and then there's nothing left to do. But it's not like that at all. I'm still very busy with all my partners together or then also for the foundation I'm travelling a lot, was also in Africa for the first time, in Lesotho, with the family. That was absolutely great.

"Then, of course, I was also at the UN right now, working for early learning in the world and especially in southern Africa, so that hopefully more children can go to school, because that needs a lot more money and a lot more opportunities from the big countries. And I'm committed to that and then I'm designing shoes, clothes, tennis racquets.

"So I'm still fully involved and I'm always very happy when there's a new project for me."

‘I want to learn from the best’ – Alcaraz on watching videos of Federer and Murray

- - -

Stream and watch the 2023 Laver Cup exclusively live across Europe on Eurosport and discovery+.

ATP Madrid

Swiatek, Kyrgios see no issue with Nadal shirt request as Lehecka says it's 'kind of weird'

01/05/2024 at 18:57

ATP Madrid

Rublev stuns Alcaraz in huge Madrid Open upset after thrilling fightback, Fritz progresses

01/05/2024 at 22:56

ATP Madrid

'I kept fighting' - Alcaraz survives Struff scare to make quarter-finals, Sinner progresses

30/04/2024 at 20:11