In a delightful off-court moment at the Australian Open, world number one Carlos Alcaraz has shared insights into his time spent with tennis legend Roger Federer, including a friendly round of golf that left the young Spaniard both impressed and humbled.
A Swing of Admiration: Alcaraz on Federer's Golf Game
Following his commanding second-round victory over Yannick Hanfmann at Melbourne Park, Alcaraz revealed in an on-court interview that he and Federer had enjoyed a golf outing together. The 22-year-old described Federer's swing as "as beautiful as the tennis", praising the Swiss maestro's style and skill.
"Everything he does, he does in style," Alcaraz remarked. "He's been playing for two years now and his level is really, really good. I've been playing five and he beat me. It hurts, yeah!" he added with a laugh, highlighting the competitive spirit that transcends their tennis careers.
The Grand Slam Quest: Alcaraz Eyes Australian Crown
Alcaraz's focus remains firmly on his tennis ambitions, particularly his pursuit of becoming the youngest male player to complete a career Grand Slam. With six major titles already to his name—two each at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open—the Australian Open trophy is the missing piece.
This achievement is one that Federer, who is visiting Melbourne Park with his family on a belated farewell tour, took seven years to accomplish after his first major win. Alcaraz has never progressed beyond the quarterfinals in Melbourne, adding urgency to his campaign.
His path is complicated by the formidable presence of Jannik Sinner, the defending champion who has claimed the last two Australian Open titles. The duo, whose rivalry is dubbed Sincaraz, have split the previous eight majors evenly, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Learning from the Legends: Alcaraz's Strategic Edge
To gain an advantage, Alcaraz is drawing inspiration from tennis greats like Federer. He has been refining aspects of his game, notably his serve, which now bears a striking resemblance to that of Novak Djokovic. The Serbian star, a ten-time Australian Open champion, has reportedly taken notice of the improvement.
With Djokovic and Sinner positioned on the opposite side of the draw, Alcaraz has the opportunity to observe their matches during his rest days, allowing him to study their techniques without distraction.
Moutet Advances as Zheng's Debut Ends in Injury
In other tournament news, Corentin Moutet progressed to the third round after American qualifier Michael Zheng retired from their second-round match due to an adductor strain. Moutet was leading 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 2-0 at the time.
Zheng, a collegiate tennis star at Columbia University, attributed his withdrawal to the physical demands of best-of-five set matches and the gruelling qualifying process for his first Grand Slam main draw. The 21-year-old, who won back-to-back NCAA individual championships in 2024 and 2025, had secured his first tour-level win by defeating Sebastian Korda in a five-set thriller just days earlier.
Reflecting on his Australian Open debut, Zheng expressed pride in his achievements, including saving a match point in a tough qualifying round and overcoming a former top-20 player. However, he voiced disappointment at missing the chance to face Alcaraz, whom he had hoped to encounter in the draw.
"When the draw came out, you know, you saw Alcaraz. You're in that section," Zheng said. "Of course, it's always in the back of the mind—you get the chance to play the number one player in the world, it doesn't happen very often. He's someone who is going to go down as a legend in the sport. Definitely unfortunate, but hopefully I'll get the opportunity in the future."
As the tournament progresses, Alcaraz's blend of youthful ambition and reverence for the sport's icons continues to captivate fans, underscoring a new era in tennis where past and present champions inspire one another both on and off the court.
