'One of the Greatest': Roger Federer Reflects on Alcaraz and Sinner Rivalry

If there is a tennis player who knows the importance of rivalries, it is Roger Federer, whose nearly two-decade-long career was defined by his battles with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, which included some of the greatest matches in tennis history.

When asked about the current state of tennis, and primarily the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rivalry, which has become the sport’s marquee matchup in recent years, Federer, currently in Melbourne for an Australian Open opening ceremony event, was quick to acknowledge how incredible it is and what it means for the sport.

Federer Praises Alcaraz-Sinner Rivalry

Speaking on the ‘SinCaraz’ rivalry, Federer admitted:

“The rivalry with Alcaraz and Sinner is a great one. They play incredible tennis. I think that French Open final was unreal. I feel like for a second, for a moment, the world stood still in the sporting world and watched towards Paris, what was going on in that epic fifth set, because it could have ended much, much sooner obviously, for Jannik. Then all of a sudden it ended up in this most crazy fashion. Maybe one of the greatest games we’ve ever had in our sport.”

The French Open final between the two players has so far been not only the match of this decade but arguably the match defining this generation of tennis, as it emerges from the Big Three’s stranglehold that lasted two decades. This is something even Federer can appreciate, having famously played the match of his generation against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2008.

Federer’s Earlier Court Speed Concerns

While Federer has often praised the Alcaraz–Sinner rivalry and its impact on tennis, this is somewhat in contrast to his views from the middle of last year, when he argued for more court speed variation, signaling that tournament organizers tended to favor Sinner and Alcaraz:

“I understand the tournament directors who, based on their instructions, try to make the courts slower… Tournament directors think: ‘I’d rather have Sinner and Alcaraz in the final, you know?’ In a way, it works for tennis.”

Even then, Federer admitted that the duo are “extraordinary for the game,” a view he has once again reinforced in praise of what will surely not only be the next big rivalry in tennis but has all the makings of being one of the greatest rivalries in sports history.