Tennis: “Their rivalry is formidable”, Federer under the spell of the Alcaraz-Sinner duels

His word is always golden, precious. Two days before the opening ceremony of the Australian Open, this Saturday January 17, a new feature introduced this year of which he will be the main headliner. Roger Federer presented himself at a press conference this Thursday.

In front of the media, the former tennis champion was questioned in particular about the emerging rivalry between the two big names on the circuit: the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (world no. 1) and the Italian Jannik Sinner (no. 2). Two players who have won the last eight Grand Slam titles.

“They play incredible tennis, their rivalry is formidable,” said Federer for whom the final of the last edition of Roland-Garros, won in the fifth set after 5h29 of combat by Carlos Alcaraz after saving three match points against Jannik Sinner, “was unreal”.

“For tennis, it was fantastic to have such a match,” continued the man with 20 Grand Slam titles, who himself maintained a long-term rivalry with Rafael Nadal (retired since 2024) and Novak Djokovic, again present this year in the final draw of the Australian Open.

“I have the impression that for a moment, the world of sport fell silent and fixed its eyes on Paris and on what was happening in this epic fifth set,” continued Federer, retired from the circuit for more than three years.

“Perhaps one of the greatest matches in the history of this sport”

“And suddenly it all ended in the craziest way possible. It was perhaps one of the greatest matches in the history of this sport,” enthused the Swiss, himself an actor in several legendary matches, notably against Djokovic or Nadal.

After Roland-Garros, “they confirmed by competing in a bunch of finals”, notably at Wimbledon, with the victory of Sinner, and at the US Open, with the success of Alcaraz, underlined Federer.

“I trained a bit with these guys, they have an incredible touch on the ball. Their progress in recent years has been tremendous and the best is of course still to come, said the former world number 1. I hope they will be spared from injuries. »

Asked about the possibility of one day becoming a coach, Federer ruled out this hypothesis in the short term. “You should never say never” but “I’m very busy, I have four children. So for the moment, there is no chance,” smiled the Swiss.