Carlos Alcaraz has been compared to the peaked Roger Federer in 2003 and 2004 by Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, as he is just one game away from his maiden final at clay court major.
Alcaraz as world #1 will face Novak Djokovic in mouth-watering semi-final clash which will be their second meeting and the first paring at a major.
The #1 has only dropped one set at the Parisian clay so far and Uncle Toni who has coached Nadal for 27 years has compared the young Spaniard to one of tennis’ all-time greats.
“He reminds me of the superiority Federer showed in the end of 2003 & in 2004,” claimed Toni Nadal. “So crushing was his invincibility that we had to wait for a later generation for Roger to find himself in trouble. I sense it will be the same with Carlos.”
Federer in 2003 and 2004 clinched the first three Grand Slam titles which hoisted him to the top of the rankings and he would also win year-end ATP tour finals consecutively. Alcaraz who has idolized Swiss maestro as a child has spoken about his disappointment to not to have faced him after Federer called it a day at the end of 2022.
“Federer, the class he had, the way he got people to see tennis: That was beautiful. Watching Federer is like looking at a work of art. Its elegance, he did everything magnificently. I became enchanted by him,” explained US Open Champion.
The 20-year old added, “He’s one of my idols, not the only one – but obviously I would have loved to have had him as a rival. But it’s not going to be possible. He leaves a great legacy in the tennis world,” he said.
“Everybody knows him, everybody knows what he’s like: he’s magical, he’s talent(ed), watching him play is a worthy spectacle. Everybody loves him and appreciates him. What a pity it was when I heard the news, I just couldn’t believe it.”
While it would be flattering to be compared to any of the Big 3, Alcaraz is not a big fan of being labelled as a copy of previous greats of the game.
“Some people say that I have shots from Nadal, Djokovic and Federer but it’s normal cause those were the players that I watched for 20 years (his age),” said Alcaraz. “But I like to believe I’m 100% Alcaraz, not a copy of anyone”.
Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer at 20
The stats show that at 20 Alcaraz is considerably ahead of Swiss tennis goat Federer both in terms of ATP rankings and titles.
Highest Ranking
Federer – No.8 (20.05.2002)
Alcaraz – No.1 (12.09.2022)
ATP Titles
Federer – 3
Alcaraz – 10