Carlos Alcaraz Admits Envy for Roger Federer's Golf Skills

Carlos Alcaraz Alcaraz envies Federer's golf game: 'As beautiful as the tennis!' ATP No. 1 Club members hit the course in Melbourne Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer at the 2024 Laver Cup. By ATP Staff Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer never had the chance to develop a Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry on the tennis court, but the ATP No. 1 Club members squared off on the golf course in Melbourne during the Australian Open. After his three-set win against Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday, Alcaraz was asked about the Swiss star's game during his on-court interview in Rod Laver Arena. "It's as beautiful as the tennis!" Alcaraz said. "I'm not surprised. It's unbelievable. Everything he does, he does in style, really beautiful. On the golf course, it's a really beautiful swing." While the 22-year-old Alcaraz has been playing golf for about five years — all throughout his professional career — the 44-year-old Federer waited until after he retired to pick up the sport. Judging by Alcaraz's comments, the Swiss has made the most of his short time in the new game. "I think he's been playing for two years now, and his level is really, really good for two years," Alcaraz said. "I've been playing five and he's already beating me! It hurts, yeah." Back on the tennis court, the current No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings had no such problems. His 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2 victory against Hanfmann moved him into the third round without the loss of a set — though he needed 78 minutes to win a dramatic opening set against the German.