Alcaraz “jealous” for Federer, and a photo as a treasure: “I have it framed in my room”
LONDON – Even being the world number one, even having a Grand Slam and four Masters 1000, even having the affection of the public and, having a lot of money and fame, Carlos Alcaraz longed this Tuesday, in London, something he could not get and what others did.
After beating Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 on Court 1 in the first round of Wimbledon, he checked his phone in the locker room and found out about Tuesday’s illustrious visitor at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. “I felt ‘jealous’ that Federer was at Centre Court and not at my match,” the Spaniard said in front of the media on a day where only matches were completed on the indoor courts due to the rain.
Federer only had eyes for Andy Murray and Elena Rybakina, sitting in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
“I’m glad he’s around, that he’s still involved in the tennis world. I’d like to see him, although I don’t know if there’s time. For me it would be incredible and I wish he could stay more days and watch some of my matches,” commented the US Open champion, who at the end of the day did not manage to see the owner of 20 Grand Slams, as confirmed to CLAY from the number one’s entourage.
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In 2019, Alcaraz shared a practice with his idol Federer, precisely on the London grass. “I have that photo framed in my room back home. That was a unique experience, a very nice memory… although I was even more tense than for a match,” he said.
When the 20-year-old was asked about his goal in London, he didn’t answer with the cliché “one game at a time”, no. He didn’t hide the fact that he wants to win: “My goal is to win the title. Of course I will try to be a little bit like Federer, but no one will ever be like Roger on grass. Because of his shots and his elegance in the game”.
With eight titles, Roger Federer is the most successful man at Wimbledon. In this edition, Djokovic threatens to tie the Swiss. Federer could, perhaps, advise Alcaraz to make sure that doesn’t happen. Would the Spaniard ask his idol for advice? “There’s no one better than him to give advice about Wimbledon, but if I get to meet him, I wouldn’t ask him anything about tennis. I would want to know how his life is going in general, but anything other than tennis.”
