World number one Carlos Alcaraz has shared a delightful insight into his off-court camaraderie with tennis legend Roger Federer, following his commanding second-round victory at the Australian Open. The 22-year-old Spaniard recently enjoyed a round of golf with Federer, an experience that left him thoroughly impressed by the Swiss maestro's effortless elegance.
Federer's Effortless Style Extends to the Golf Course
"Everything he does, he does in style," Alcaraz remarked, noting that Federer's golf swing is "as beautiful as the tennis." The light-hearted encounter saw Federer emerge victorious, despite playing less frequently than Alcaraz, showcasing the retired champion's natural athleticism across different sports. This anecdote emerged after Alcaraz's dominant 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 win over Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday, providing a charming glimpse into the mutual respect between tennis generations.
Alcaraz's Historic Quest for Career Grand Slam
Alcaraz's victory marks a significant step in his ambitious quest to become the youngest male player to complete a career Grand Slam. This achievement, which involves winning all four major tennis trophies, took Federer seven years to secure after his first major title. Alcaraz, who already boasts six major titles – two each from Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open – now only requires the Australian Open crown to complete his personal Slam.
However, the Spaniard has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park, making this year's campaign particularly crucial for his legacy. His journey is further complicated by the intense rivalry with Jannik Sinner, a dynamic dubbed "Sincaraz," with Sinner having claimed the last two Australian titles. The two young stars have evenly split the last eight majors between them, setting the stage for potential future clashes deep into the tournament.
Technical Refinements and Strategic Advantages
To gain an edge, Alcaraz has been diligently refining aspects of his game, most notably his serve, which now strikingly resembles that of Novak Djokovic. The 10-time Melbourne Park champion, who holds 24 major titles, has reportedly taken notice of Alcaraz's evolving technique. With both Djokovic and the second-ranked Sinner positioned on the opposite side of the draw, Alcaraz has the strategic advantage of observing his primary competitors during his off-days at Melbourne Park.
Next Challenge and Tournament Developments
Alcaraz's immediate focus now shifts to Corentin Moutet, the world number 32, in the third round. Moutet advanced after American qualifier Michael Zheng was forced to retire from their second-round match on Court 6 due to an adductor strain, with Moutet leading 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 2-0. Zheng, a promising collegiate tennis star from Columbia University, attributed his injury to the demanding transition to best-of-five set matches and the rigours of qualifying for his first Grand Slam main draw.
Zheng's Pride and Missed Opportunity
Despite the premature exit, the 21-year-old Zheng, a two-time NCAA individual champion in 2024 and '25, expressed considerable pride in his Australian Open debut. This included a hard-fought five-set victory over Sebastian Korda for his inaugural tour-level win. "Qualifying for the first time, making the first round, and in a tough match, too, saving a match point," Zheng recounted. "Winning the first round was amazing against a former top-20 player."
His one regret was the missed opportunity to face Alcaraz, a prospect he had considered since the draw was announced. "When the draw came out, you know, you saw Alcaraz. You’re in that section," he said. "Of course, it’s always in the back of the mind, you get the chance to play the No. 1 player in the world, it doesn’t happen very often. He’s someone who is going to go down as a legend in the sport. Definitely unfortunate, but hopefully I’ll get the opportunity in the future."
As Alcaraz continues his pursuit of tennis history, his blend of on-court dominance and off-court camaraderie with legends like Federer highlights the evolving narrative of modern tennis, where respect across generations enriches the sport's legacy.
