Roger Federer made headlines last month during the Laver Cup in Germany when he shared a heartfelt confession about missing a chance to connect with young tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz during a practice session. Federer had revealed his plans to apologize to the rising star, and in the weeks that followed, it became clear that the two tennis greats have forged a bond that transcends their brief earlier encounter.
In a candid interview, Federer reflected on an opportunity he had years ago to practice with Alcaraz, who was still a junior player at the time. Instead of hitting with the young Spaniard, Federer opted to warm up with Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1 and a contemporary of Federer’s on the ATP Tour. “I barely know Carlos Alcaraz, so I’m really excited to see him play for the very first time,” Federer remarked before the Laver Cup. He recalled their brief interaction at Wimbledon: “I only practised once with him at Wimbledon when he was still a junior, and the next day, my coach said, ‘Do you want to warm up with him again?’ and I said, ‘No, it’s okay, I’d rather warm up with his coach, who was my generation, Juan Carlos Ferrero.’ I can apologize to Carlos this week!”
Alcaraz, for his part, has often spoken of his admiration for Federer, one of his childhood idols. The two had a brief practice session at Wimbledon in 2019, a moment that Alcaraz remembers vividly. “I remember Wimbledon training as if it was yesterday. I will never forget it. It was a unique moment,” Alcaraz said in a recent interview. “I will never forget the first time I met Federer, I have the photo in my room.” At that time, Alcaraz was still a teenager on the rise, far from the global superstar he would become. The encounter clearly left a lasting impression on the young Spaniard.
As the world’s media picked up on Federer’s comments, anticipation grew about the interaction between the two during the Laver Cup weekend. Federer, who had retired from professional tennis in 2022, was present at the event in a role more akin to a tennis ambassador, and his meeting with Alcaraz became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament. The mutual respect between the two players was palpable, and it didn’t take long for fans to notice how much Federer enjoyed spending time with the younger star.
The connection between Federer and Alcaraz deepened when they met again at the Shanghai Masters, just a few weeks after the Laver Cup. The two legends were spotted sitting together courtside, watching the final between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. As the cameras panned to them during the match, it became evident that Alcaraz was seeking Federer’s insights, possibly asking how he would have approached certain moments in the match. Djokovic, one of Federer’s greatest rivals, was vying for the title against the newly-crowned world No. 1, Jannik Sinner, and Federer’s wisdom on such occasions would have been invaluable to Alcaraz.
However, their time together in Shanghai wasn’t just limited to watching the match from the sidelines. In a surprise to fans, footage was released by the ATP showing Federer and Alcaraz engaging in a practice session on one of the indoor courts at the tournament venue. The sight of the 20-time Grand Slam champion hitting with the current world No. 2 was a moment of pure joy for tennis aficionados. Alcaraz, visibly thrilled, seemed to relish the chance to trade shots with one of the sport’s all-time greats, while Federer showed that even in retirement, he hasn’t lost his magic touch.
This wasn’t the first time Federer had been spotted on court in recent weeks. Ahead of the Laver Cup, he staged a racquet demonstration in Berlin to promote the launch of his new Wilson frame, and he has been seen practicing with his children using the latest version of his signature racket, the RF97. In interviews, Federer has spoken about the joy he still finds in playing tennis recreationally with his family. “We have been playing with my new Wilson racket and it has been fun,” Federer said. “The girls play with the Wilson Clash, and the boys play with mine, the RF97. Hopefully, they will try and play with this new racket now.”
Federer’s passion for tennis clearly hasn’t waned, even in retirement. He has dreams of inspiring future generations, perhaps with the very racket he now promotes. “The dream would be that some kid one day picks up this racket and wins a Grand Slam with it,” Federer mused. While Carlos Alcaraz, who is sponsored by Babolat, won’t be switching to Federer’s Wilson frame anytime soon, the two players’ time on court together could still have a profound influence on Alcaraz’s game as he continues to dominate the sport.
Alcaraz, already a four-time Grand Slam champion at just 21 years old, is seen as the future of men’s tennis. His blend of athleticism, tactical intelligence, and mental fortitude has drawn comparisons to legends like Federer and Rafael Nadal. The opportunity to practice with Federer, who reigned over the tennis world for nearly two decades, may give Alcaraz an additional edge as he navigates his already remarkable career.
The burgeoning relationship between Federer and Alcaraz represents a symbolic passing of the torch. Federer, whose graceful style of play inspired millions, is now in a position to mentor the next generation, while Alcaraz, the current face of tennis’s new era, seems eager to absorb every lesson he can from the Swiss maestro. As Alcaraz continues to build on his legacy, the wisdom and inspiration he’s received from Federer could play a key role in shaping his path forward.