Golfing with a Legend
In a relaxed moment ahead of the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz had the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf with the legendary Roger Federer. The young Spaniard was in awe of Federer’s skill on the course, admiring his swinging technique, which he remarked was as aesthetically pleasing as the Swiss star’s renowned tennis game. Alcaraz, 22, observed,
“He’s been playing for two years and has maintained a high level of play.”
He humorously added,
“I’ve been playing for five years, and he still managed to beat me. That definitely stings!”
On-Court Success
The conversation about their golf outing occurred during an on-court interview after Alcaraz’s straight-sets victory of 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 against Yannick Hanfmann, propelling him into the third round at Melbourne Park. This win is part of Alcaraz’s ambition to become the youngest player ever to achieve a career Grand Slam in men’s singles. Currently, he has six Grand Slam titles under his belt, with two each from the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. Now, he is aiming for the elusive Australian Open trophy, which has thus far eluded him throughout his career as he has never advanced past the quarterfinals there.
Rivalry and Inspiration
Alcaraz’s ultimate rival, Jannik Sinner, who has claimed the last two Australian Open titles, has been performing strongly. Their matches have fostered a captivating rivalry, dubbed “Sincaraz”. Given this competitive atmosphere, Alcaraz looks to the game’s icons, including Federer, for inspiration and insight into elevating his game.
Improvements and Future Matches
Notably, Alcaraz has made significant improvements to his service game, adopting a style reminiscent of Novak Djokovic. This adjustment has even caught the attention of Djokovic, who has won ten of his 24 Grand Slam titles in Melbourne. As Alcaraz continues on his path, he has opportunities to observe Djokovic and No. 2-ranked Sinner during his breaks from play, keeping his focus on the task at hand.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is set to face No. 32 Corentin Moutet in the third round. Moutet advanced after American qualifier Michael Zheng had to retire due to an adductor strain, trailing in the match 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 2-0. Zheng, who recently made a name for himself in college tennis by winning the NCAA individual titles in 2024 and 2025, expressed pride in his Australian Open debut despite the setback. He noted the challenges of transitioning to best-of-five set matches in a Grand Slam and referenced his exciting first-round victory over a former top-20 player. Unfortunately, he missed the chance to challenge Alcaraz, who concluded his match around the same time Zheng was leading in his own match against Moutet. Zheng reflected on this opportunity, wishing to face the world’s No. 1 player in the future, acknowledging the rarity of such a chance in the sport’s landscape.
