Roger Federer Shares Exact Moment Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Started New Era After Big 3

Roger Federer picked Team Europe as the favorite to win the Laver Cup because of Carlos Alcaraz.

Roger Federer Shares Exact Moment Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Started New Era After Big 3

In background - Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal; In bubble - Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/t2, Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Roger Federer is currently in San Francisco, the host city for the eighth edition of the Laver Cup, where Team Europe will bid to defend their title against Team World. Just like last year, this year’s Laver Cup will gain a considerable amount of attention thanks to Team Europe player Carlos Alcaraz.

After making his Laver Cup debut last year and helping his team deny Team World a three-peat by beating Taylor Fritz in the final match, Alcaraz was one of the first players last year to sign up for the latest edition of the tournament, co-founded by Federer.

But Alcaraz’s arch-rival, Jannik Sinner, will not be in action this week. Sinner has never played in this team event and chose to skip it this season as well.

Since 2024, Sinner and Alcaraz have emerged as dominating forces, thanks to their Grand Slam wins as well as their consistent performances that also saw them win many other titles. While Sinner clinched eight official trophies last year, Alcaraz has so far bagged seven of them this year. The duo, in fact, have shared the last eight Majors, with the World No.1 winning the French Open and the US Open, while the World No.2 lifting the Australian Open and Wimbledon this season.

Federer was convinced that the epic five-hour, 29-minute French Open final showed the tennis world that, finally, the changing of the guard from the Big 3 era had happened. The last Major title won by one of the members of the famous Big 3- consisting of Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic– was the Serb, at the 2023 US Open.

I think the French Open, for me, was the match the game needed to move on from the post-Roger, Rafa, and Serena [Williams] time. To truly embrace this rivalry and this incredible shotmaking that Carlos and Jannik have right now.

Roger Federer told CNBC

Alcaraz overcame a two-set deficit and later saved three championship points in the fourth set to defend his crown at Roland Garros.

Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam campaigns

While Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are enjoying their retirement life, Novak Djokovic is still on a quest for the record 25th Grand Slam title. Other than Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, not many players are able to challenge the 38-year-old in Grand Slam events.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via Punto de Break)

At this stage of his career, fitness issues and the two young champions are stopping him from winning another Major; as an injury stopped his Australian Open campaign in the semifinals, while in the remaining three Grand Slam events, he suffered defeats in straight sets in the semifinals: to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, and to Alcaraz at the US Open.

I think Novak is right there as well. He played in all four semis this year in the majors, which is incredible.

Roger Federer told CNBC

Djokovic has featured twice at the Laver Cup (2018 and 2022). Ahead of Djokovic, Nadal, and several other big names, Federer called time on his career at the 2022 Laver Cup.

Roger Federer on Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi

Since the first edition, Team World was led by John McEnroe, while Team Europe’s captain was Bjorn Borg. Both captained their respective teams for the last time in 2024. This season, Team Europe and Team World will be led by Yannick Noah and Andre Agassi, respectively. During that same interview with CNBC, Federer gave his thoughts on the two captains.

Yannick Noah, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi
Yannick Noah, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi (Image via X/Dinora RF)

I think it will feel quite different, actually. I think they are both extremely thoughtful, Andre and Yannik. I have tremendous respect for what they achieved on the court, and I think Andre and Yannik are going to be incredible.

Laver Cup starts on September 19. Federer said Team Europe has an edge because of Alcaraz.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Eager to Take the Responsibility of Leading Team Europe to Success at the Laver Cup