MELBOURNE, January 15, 2026
Alcaraz and Sinner: Federer Sees a Rivalry for the Ages
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Roger Federer believes the burgeoning rivalry between carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is already shaping the future of men’s tennis, a dynamic he hasn’t witnessed since his own battles with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Roger Federer,a 20-time Grand Slam champion,has offered a compelling assessment of the next generation of tennis stars,singling out Carlos alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as players driving a thrilling new rivalry. the Swiss legend, considered by many one of the greatest to ever play the game, recently discussed the pair’s impact during a press conference leading up to the Australian Open 2026. “The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner; I think it’s a fantastic rivalry,” Federer stated. “All the other players are trying to keep up, while they keep trying to get unstuck.”
A Roland Garros Epic
Federer pointed to their captivating five-set final at the 2025 Roland Garros tournament as a defining moment. Alcaraz secured a hard-fought victory with a score of 4-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, and 7-6, overcoming a significant comeback attempt by Sinner in the fourth set. Federer believes this match established a high standard for their future encounters. “The Roland Garros match is one of the most important matches in our sport,” he said. “I think it’s very good that we continue to live off that momentum.”
The momentum continued throughout the 2025 season, with sinner gaining a measure of revenge at Wimbledon, winning in four sets. Alcaraz then reclaimed the upper hand at the US Open,prevailing in another fourth-set decider.
What Would a Federer-Alcaraz or Federer-Sinner matchup Look Like?
The question of how Federer himself would fare against these rising stars has naturally arisen among tennis fans. Federer has considered this, starting with a comparison to Sinner. He believes the playing style of Grigor Dimitrov offers a useful reference point.”That helps me think about what it would have been like, because Grigor plays in a very similar way to the way I used to play,” Federer explained. “I think that was one of the first times I thought about what it would be like to play against Jannik in a match situation.”
Sinner defeated Dimitrov in London, with Dimitrov retiring while trailing 6-3 and 7-5.
Federer finds the potential matchup against Alcaraz more straightforward to envision, noting greater similarities between their games. He believes this would inform his shot selection, particularly in responding to Alcaraz’s aggressive tendencies-his preference for short balls, net play, and offensive tennis.
Alcaraz’s Australian Open Bid
Despite his retirement, Federer remains keenly aware of Alcaraz’s current form and the possibility of the Spaniard capturing his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.”I hope he can do it, because that would be amazing for the sport, a special moment,” Federer said. “But he has over 100 players saying, ‘we don’t agree with that plan,’ and they’re going to try to stop him.”
- Federer praised the intensity and quality of the Alcaraz-Sinner matches, particularly their 2025 Roland Garros final.
- He noted stylistic similarities between Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov, offering insight into potential matchups.
- Federer highlighted Alcaraz’s current form and potential to win his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
