Carlos Alcaraz: Roger Federer is the “Lionel Messi of tennis” because of his talent and “ease of play”.

Carlos Alcaraz has shared his belief that Roger Federer is the “Lionel Messi of tennis” due to his talent and “ease of play”.

Alcaraz has often spoken of Federer’s influence on him growing up, and watching the US Open champion at times, it’s clear that the Swiss’s influence on tennis – despite being retired – still endures.

Alcaraz is in Argentina at the Buenos Aires Open and – when asked who could be the tennis version of Lionel Messi – dived right in.

“Roger, because of his talent and the ease of playing,” the Spaniard told Argentinian newspaper Ole.

However, Alcaraz doesn’t just admire Federer in the world of tennis, as if the Swiss is one rival he doesn’t have to think about anymore, two of the ‘big three’ – Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – are still active and as driven as ever, 2023 is starting to unravel as the former won his tenth Australian Open crown last month.

Alcaraz is clear that the two are the benchmark for his own game.

“I want to continue to win many Grand Slams and for that I have to pay attention to Djokovic and Rafa because the years go by and they continue to win those tournaments and give their best level.

“And that’s what I’d like for me: keep myself at my best as the years go by.”

In keeping with his tribute to tennis legends, Alcaraz also paid tribute to Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who pulled out of last year’s Buenos Aires Open due to a recurring knee problem.

“Juan Martín is one of the great tennis players that tennis has had and I would have loved to play against him.”

Alcaraz, the top seed from Buenos Aires, will face either Laslo Djere or Fabio Fognini in his first match of the year since he withdrew from the Australian Open due to injury.

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