Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz surrenders to Federer’s golf game: “As beautiful as his tennis!”
Members of the ATP No. 1 Club played in Melbourne
January 21, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup
Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer at the Laver Cup 2024.
by this ATEDIDE ATP
Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer never had to add any chapter to their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry on the court, but the members of the ATP No. 1 Club shared shots on the golf course in Melbourne during this edition of the Australian Open. After his three-set victory this Wednesday against Yannick Hanfmann, the Spaniard spoke about the Swiss’s game in the courtside interview at the Rod Laver Arena.
“It’s as pretty as his tennis!” declared Alcaraz. “It doesn’t surprise me. He’s incredible. Everything he does, he does it with style, it’s really pretty. On the golf course, he has a really nice swing.”
Although the 22-year-old world No. 1 has played golf for the last five years—the same years he has spent on the professional tennis circuit—the 44-year-old Swiss waited until he retired to make regular contact with the clubs. Judging by Alcaraz’s comments, the former World No. 1 has made good use of his time in this new sport.
“I think he has been playing for two years and his level is very, very good for that long,” Alcaraz commented. “I’ve been there for five years and it’s already beating me! It’s painful.”
Back on the tennis court, the main seed in Melbourne did not find too many problems advancing to the third round. The Spaniard, who beat German Yannick Hanfmann 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2 on the Rod Laver Arena, despite the fact that the first set lasted one hour and 18 minutes.
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If Alcaraz still has a long way to go to equal Federer’s six Australian Open crowns, as well as his 20 Grand Slam trophies, the Spaniard could complete the career Grand Slam at the age of 22, five earlier than the Swiss did at Roland Garros 2009.
