The tennis world has been captivated by the meteoric rise of Carlos Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard whose electrifying style has drawn inevitable comparisons to the legendary Roger Federer. As the two-time defending Wimbledon champion and a five-time Grand Slam winner, Alcaraz has dazzled fans with his aggressive, unpredictable play. In a recent interview, Ivan Ljubicic, Federer’s former coach from 2016 to 2022, offered a compelling analysis of what sets Alcaraz apart from his former protégé, shedding light on their shared brilliance and distinct approaches to the game. His insights, drawn from years of coaching Federer and observing Alcaraz’s ascent, paint a vivid picture of two players who, while similar in flair, differ in their pursuit of spectacle.
Ljubicic, a former world No. 3 and a respected voice in tennis, first encountered Alcaraz’s name during a Challenger tournament match against Jannik Sinner when Alcaraz was just 16. “The first time I heard about Alcaraz was when he played against Sinner in a Challenger tournament,” Ljubicic recalled, noting the early signs of the Spaniard’s prodigious talent. Now, years later, Alcaraz has emerged as a dominant force, sharing the past seven Grand Slam titles with Sinner and cementing his status as world No. 2. His performance in the 2025 Wimbledon final, though a loss to Sinner in four sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4), showcased the dynamic style that has invited comparisons to Federer. “That style of play where you never know what’s going to happen,” Ljubicic observed. “Like Roger, Carlos is always looking for the winning shot, always active.”
Yet, Ljubicic was quick to highlight a key distinction between the two. Federer, renowned for his graceful efficiency, made the game look effortless, with the spectacle emerging as a byproduct of his pursuit of victory. “Roger was more efficient. The show was a side effect of his game. He wasn’t consciously seeking the show,” Ljubicic explained. Alcaraz, by contrast, seems to revel in the theatricality of his play, often prioritizing entertainment for both himself and the crowd. “With Alcaraz, I sometimes feel like he just wants to have fun, for himself, but also for the crowd,” Ljubicic noted. This showmanship, while captivating, occasionally comes at the expense of the precision that defined Federer’s game, particularly on grass, where Alcaraz has already matched Federer’s two Wimbledon titles at a younger age.
Alcaraz himself has acknowledged Federer’s influence, recalling a memorable moment from his 2025 Wimbledon final. “On the side at 40-All when I returned the forehand, I remembered the first match that Roger Federer won in that court against Sampras, winning with a return passing shot from the forehand,” he said, reflecting on his attempt to channel the Swiss maestro’s magic. Despite the defeat, Alcaraz remained upbeat, asserting he left the court with his “head held high.” His ability to smile through losses, as noted by fans, underscores his positive outlook, a trait Ljubicic also admires. “He brought a dimension that younger players have been missing in the last ten or twenty years: something positive, something different,” Ljubicic said in a 2023 interview, describing Alcaraz as a “stunning combination” of Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The Croatian coach also contextualized Alcaraz’s rivalry with Sinner, which has defined men’s tennis in 2025. Their Wimbledon final, a thrilling four-setter, was described by Ljubicic as “a very, very, very good final” with “perfect” drama, despite some exaggerated claims about the decline of past greats like Nadal. “John McEnroe said that Nadal wouldn’t stand a chance against these guys, that’s nonsense,” Ljubicic remarked, emphasizing that Alcaraz and Sinner still have room to grow. This rivalry, reminiscent of Federer and Nadal’s epic battles, promises to shape the sport for years to come, with Alcaraz’s grass-court prowess—boasting a 30-3 record—giving him an edge. “Carlos has everything to play well on grass. He responds well, moves well, is very powerful,” Ljubicic noted, comparing Alcaraz’s immediate “feeling” for the surface to Federer’s.
As Alcaraz prepares for the 2025 US Open, where he will team up with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles, his blend of Federer-like creativity and showmanship continues to captivate. While Federer’s elegance was a byproduct of his efficiency, Alcaraz’s flair is a deliberate celebration of the game’s joy, making him a unique force in modern tennis. Ljubicic’s insights remind us that while Alcaraz may evoke Federer’s brilliance, his pursuit of fun sets him apart as a star for a new generation.
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