“I see similarities between Alcaraz’s game and those of Rafa (Nadal), Novak (Djokovic) and myself” – Federer
Roger Federer has weighed in on the conversation about Carlos Alcaraz being comparable to the Big Three, giving his own take on the matter in a recent podcast
Carlos Alcaraz (Chryslene Caillaud/Panoramic)
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Three of the biggest names in tennis history, and leagues ahead of Carlos Alcaraz in terms of their career achievements. However, the young Spaniard has shown the potential to become spoken about in the same breath, as the comparisons are beginning to flow thick and fast.
First it was Djokovic, who said of Alcaraz: “People talked about his game saying it was made up of elements from those of Roger, Rafa and myself. I agree with that, I think he has the best of three worlds.”
The Serbian continued his praise for Alcaraz, saying he’s “never played against an opponent like him,” and referring to the 20-year-old as “a very complete player” with “amazing adaptation skills”.
Now, Federer has weighed in on the comparisons, giving his own two cents about Alcaraz’s place in the Big Three conversation on a recent ATP Tennis Radio podcast.
Federer also sees similarities between Alcaraz and the Big Three
At the recent Shanghai Masters, in which Federer featured prominently, the former world No 1 agreed with Djokovic’s sentiment when asked a question about Alcaraz’s similarity to the Big Three.
“Yes, I see similarities between Alcaraz’s game and those of Rafa (Nadal), Novak (Djokovic) and myself,” Federer acknowledged.
“In his forehand, I see a little bit of Rafa’s power and style, and also a little of mine in terms of technique,” he continued. “He also shoots drop shots and uses the slice. He can play behind the line, like Rafa does in defence. He also has defensive qualities that can rival those of Novak.”
“Even though Novak is at an elite level, because he has been doing it for so many years that he is alone at the top, like Rafa on clay,” Federer explained. “But if Carlos continues like this, we’re going to talk about him even more, even more highly, and he has the potential to do that if he doesn’t get injured.”
Drawing too many comparisons would be a mistake says Federer
However, Federer is also hesitant to make too many comparisons between Alcaraz and the Big Three, or any other players.
“Yes, maybe it’s a combination (of the Big Threes’ games). But it’s also not fair to say that, because Carlos is Carlos, just like Novak is Novak, and Rafa is Rafa. I don’t like it when we make too many comparisons, I like that everyone is recognised for their own style.”
Interestingly enough, despite having grown up worshipping the likes of Federer, Alcaraz himself shares a similar sentiment, having earlier stated, “I’m not trying to copy anyone, I want to have my own style, I want to be Carlos Alcaraz.”
Perhaps it’s because Alcaraz knows in order to be spoken of in the same breath as the Big Three, he’ll undeniably need to forge his own path.
