Roger Federer said on Monday in New York that he would have loved to face Carlos Alcaraz on the tennis court, expressing regret that he missed playing against the rising generation of stars while celebrating the Spaniard’s recovery ahead of the US Open.
Federer Eyes the Next Generation
Speaking during a press conference at the season’s final Grand Slam tournament, Federer was asked which contemporary player he would most want to face if he were still active on the ATP Tour. According to reports from New York, the 20-time Grand Slam champion pointed directly to the young Spanish star.
“Tal vez Carlos. Creo que es emocionante. Nunca tuve la oportunidad de jugar contra él ni tampoco contra Sinner,” Federer said, noting that he never faced either Alcaraz or Italy’s Jannik Sinner in official competition. He added that they only shared a few practice sessions together when the younger players were just starting out on tour.
Injury Recovery and Tournament Context
Alcaraz arrived at Flushing Meadows aiming for a strong return to competitive tennis following a wrist injury that forced him to retire from the Barcelona Open in April. Federer acknowledged the physical hurdles the 21-year-old has faced, specifically noting that his physical setbacks right before Roland Garros created a difficult calendar crunch heading into Wimbledon.
Alongside his media appearances, Federer stepped back onto the tournament’s main court to participate in exhibition events. He took to the central court alongside tennis greats Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and John McEnroe, while Alcaraz utilized the same venue for his pre-tournament training sessions.
Assessing Djokovic and the US Open Field
Turning his attention to the wider tournament draw, Federer highlighted Novak Djokovic as a constant threat for the title. The Swiss veteran emphasized Djokovic’s enduring competitiveness at age 39, noting that the Serbian star holds 24 major titles and remains a favorite whenever he enters a major draw.
“Siento que cada vez que Novak se apunta a un torneo o un major, va a tener opciones de ganarlo,” Federer remarked, praising Djokovic’s resilience and skill after decades of intense rivalry that included 50 official head-to-head matches.
Retirement Stance and Hall of Fame Honor
When questioned about a potential comeback to professional tennis at age 45—drawing comparisons to Venus and Serena Williams continuing to play on the WTA tour—Federer firmly ruled out any return to the grueling professional circuit. He explained that his body can no longer handle the demands of professional competition, describing himself as a fan who is happy with his current routine and grateful to simply watch the sport.
Federer’s visit to New York also precedes a major personal milestone. He is scheduled to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on August 29, an honor he called deeply special that will give him a chance to reflect on his storied career.
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