It would be “crazy” for Carlos Alcaraz to win the Australian Open and complete the career Grand Slam at the age of just 22, Roger Federer said on Thursday.
Alcaraz of Spain has already won six major championships, but his record is conspicuously lacking in success on the hard courts at Melbourne Park.
The world number one would become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam if he were to break his Australia drought at the tournament, which begins on Sunday.
“At his young age to be able to complete the career Grand Slam already would be crazy,” Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer made these remarks at Melbourne Park, where he will lead a “Battle of the World No.1s” for the official opening of the 2026 Australian Open on Saturday.
“Let’s see if he’s able to do ‘crazy’ this week. I hope he does because for the game that would be an unbelievable and special moment.”
The top seed has not advanced past the quarterfinals in four prior Australian Opens, but Alcaraz hopes to exceed retiring countryman Rafael Nadal, who won all four majors by the age of 24.
Federer, a six-time Melbourne champion, likened Rory McIlroy’s painful attempts to win his maiden Masters in golf to Alcaraz’s wait to win the title there.
Last year, the Northern Irishman completed the Grand Slam at last.
“It’s like Rory going for the Masters. Those things are tough,” said Federer.
In the opening round, Alcaraz takes on Adam Walton, a home hope.
Reporters also questioned the now-retired Federer about 19-year-old Brazilian tennis player Joao Fonseca.
Federer praised the teenager, saying: “What separates him from a lot of the other guys in the draw is just his power — forehand, backhand, serve and just what he’s able to bring point by point.
“He’s exciting, he’s got good aura, he’s a very likeable character as well. I like watching him play. The sky’s the limit.”
