Roger Federer is back at the Australian Open, invited by the organisers to enjoy a formal farewell despite having retired nearly four years ago now.
It marks a deserved return for the six-time champion of the event, who will also take part in a ‘Battle of the world No. 1s’ as part of the Opening Ceremony.
Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt are all touted to take part, but Roger Federer’s name remains the biggest draw given his semi-recent retirement and subsequent absence from the sport.
However, speaking ahead of the Australian Open’s official start later this week, he was asked whether he’d be interested in wading back into tennis in the most shocking way possible.
Roger Federer speaks about coaching Carlos Alcaraz
Speaking to TNT Sports, as fans from behind the stand cheered his name, Federer stood proudly to answer a handful of questions.
One of tennis’ most revered and well-respected individuals, it has been a delight to see him back in Melbourne, soaking in the adulation he so richly deserves.
Who would you like to see become Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach?
Asked about Carlos Alcaraz’s coaching situation, he spoke with poise during what must be a tricky period for the Spaniard, noting: “I think he can get it with a coach, with no coach. He’s that good, obviously. But a good coach will definitely be helping.
“I don’t know if he’s so he had to do press here and talk about his Ferrero situation a little bit, which is obviously going to be maybe a little bit uncomfortable or just something you have to do as a pro, but it is definitely going to be very important for him to find the right person in his corner and to be able to hit the career Grand Slam already at such a young age, is incredible, to be honest.
“So let’s see if he can do it. I mean, Sinner, I think obviously the other, big favourite, and so I believe Novak [Djokovic] will have a good shot as well. So I’m very excited to see what’s going to happen.”
Then, asked if he might be interested in the coaching vacancy within his team, Federer quickly shut it down: “No, I’m definitely out, maybe I could give him some advice on the periphery, but, yeah, everybody knows. I’m too busy with my children and with my life at the minute, so, yeah.”
What Federer said after watching Alcaraz for the first time was recently revealed, and it’s fair to say that the 22-year-old has only flourished since then.
Roger Federer compares himself to Carlos Alcaraz
Interestingly, the 20-time Grand Slam champion has been talking about Alcaraz elsewhere whilst at the Australian Open, and actually pointed out how he relates to the youngster.
He told reporters in Melbourne: “When I see Carlos, I feel like there’s more similarities in terms of what we would do in terms of when we would hit a dropshot, when we would come to the net, how passive, offensive we decide to play. I think we like to play on our own terms. I think I put myself more into Carlos’ mindset and skin when I watch him.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
“With Sinner, at one time I thought like, okay, now I understand how I would play against Jannik.
“Other than that, I’m very happy. I love watching tennis just as a fan. That’s always been the case, even when I was still on tour, unless it was my next-round opponent. I would kind of try to suss out some strengths and weaknesses.”
Federer has also practised with Sinner and spoke about what he thought of the Italian back in 2019.
