Roger Federer is backing Carlos Alcaraz to have an “unbelievable future” in tennis despite his early exit at the Shanghai Masters.
Despite this apparent dip in form, Federer says Alcaraz, 20, deserves huge credit for what he has achieved already, and is not worried about his recent defeats.
“Winning Wimbledon against Novak [Djokovic] in the final is no joke. He didn’t need to really prove that point but that’s another super asterisk in his CV. It’s mighty impressive.
“Of course, as it was with Rafa [Nadal], Novak, myself, and [Andy] Murray, we all expect now every generation to produce their best tennis every single week, but it’s hard to do that.
“I think Carlos has done as well as he possibly could have so far. And he’s going to lose sometimes, like here in Shanghai, but he’s doing fantastic.
“He’s got a great game and obviously an unbelievable future ahead of him.”
Federer also reflected on this year’s Wimbledon final between Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in more detail, with the 20-time Grand Slam champion paying tribute to both players.
“The Wimbledon final, I only literally saw a couple of games that day because we are running around with the kids and doing stuff,” said Federer.
“Then at one point, like I quickly checked just to say ‘Okay, I saw the Wimbledon final a little bit’, you know?”
“Of course, I was curious. I was checking the scores from time to time, but for me to sit down was just hard. But I was happy that the match was as great as it was, of course. And I love when great stories come out of the game and what Novak and Carlos have done again this year has been incredible.”
“Alcaraz’s Asian tour is not worrying. I don’t give it any importance,” he added.
“Every tournament, every week, every game is a learning experience for Alcaraz, his season is spectacular. For Carlos there will come a time when he will have to select tournaments like Djokovic.
“We are used to times when Nadal, Djokovic and Federer reached the Masters 1000 [events] and won them as if nothing had happened, but it is more normal for him to make a semi-final against Sinner and then be surprised by Dimitrov.
“Maintaining 100 per cent in the 80 matches he plays a year is impossible.”
Alcaraz is set to return at the Swiss Indoors next week.