Roger Federer confesses which current figures he would have liked to face
The legendary Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, holder of 20 Grand Slam titles, recently shared his reflections on the current circuit during his stay in New York, home of the last major tournament of the season. In an exchange with the press, the former world star admitted his desire to have shared the court with the new talents that dominate the current tennis landscape.
When asked about which players from the emerging generation would have posed an interesting challenge, the Swiss did not hesitate to point to the protagonists of the moment:
Maybe Carlos Alcaraz. I think he is exciting. I never had the chance to play against him, nor against Jannik Sinner.
Roger Federer
Federer also referred to Alcaraz’s recovery process, lamenting that wrist injuries affected his schedule at crucial moments, but celebrating that the young Spaniard has regained his competitive level on the New York stage.
Djokovic remains the man to beat
When analyzing the odds for the US Open, Federer was emphatic in placing Novak Djokovic at the top of the favorites. The Swiss, who shared a historic rivalry with the Serbian in 50 encounters, highlighted Djokovic’s impressive competitive ability, as the holder of 24 Grand Slams.
- Djokovic remains the top candidate for the title, especially given the confirmed withdrawal of Jannik Sinner.
- The Serbian dominates the head-to-head record against the Swiss with 27 victories, including five major tournament finals.
A new stage off the track
At 43 years old, Federer was emphatic in ruling out any possibility of a return to the professional ATP circuit. The multi-title winner acknowledged that the physical demands of elite tennis are no longer compatible with his current state, although he clarified that his bond with the sport remains intact.
The Swiss continues to be active in exhibition events, including a special appearance on the center court in New York alongside legends such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and John McEnroe. Furthermore, his legacy will be immortalized on August 29th with his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, a milestone that the former player described as one of the most significant moments of his career.
