I wish Roger Federer was on my court!
That was a thought that went through Carlos Alcaraz’s mind after he completed his first-round victory against Jeremy Chardy on Tuesday at Wimbledon. The Spaniard emerged victorious on No. 1 Court, while Federer was sitting in the Royal Box on Centre Court watching defending champion Elena Rybakina.
“After the match I was with the phone checking everything I have, all the stories, all the posts. I saw that Roger Federer was here. I was a little bit jealous,” Alcaraz said, cracking a smile. “Honestly, I want Roger Federer to watch one of my matches obviously. I wish to talk a little bit with him. For me, [that] would be amazing. I hope to see him around more than once.”
The good news for Alcaraz is not just that he managed to win, but that he played at all. Most matches have been suspended or cancelled around the grounds at The All England Club due to rain. Since the rain began early in the day, play has only taken place on Centre Court and No. 1 Court.
“It’s really important for me. I think the players that play with the roof in the Centre Court have more luck, let’s say, to be able to finish their matches. Not to wait for the rain is something that is [an] advantage from the other players,” Alcaraz said. “So for me it’s really, really good to have finished the match and not wait for the rain. Let’s see if my opponents are going to finish the match. But for me, it’s really, really good.”
🔝 seed continues! 🫡@carlosalcaraz advances to the second round after getting past Chardy 6-0, 6-2, 7-5!@Wimbledon | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XaynnDzWEc
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 4, 2023
Alcaraz has now won six consecutive matches, having claimed his first grass-court title two weeks ago at The Queen’s Club. The 20-year-old Spaniard has only played 12 tour-level matches on grass in his career, so he is gaining confidence with every victory.
“Every day you learn something new. Every time that I get out to the court playing, it’s better for me. I get more experience that is really, really important in [this] surface,” Alcaraz said. “All I learned today is experience, [getting] more hours on the court.”
[BREAK POINT]
With Federer on the grounds Tuesday, Alcaraz was asked if he feels that he is the heir to The Big Three of Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Despite having reached No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and winning a major last year, the 20-year-old quickly denied the idea.
“I don’t feel that I’m the best of my generation. I mean, [Jannik] Sinner is there. [Holger] Rune, as well. They are playing a great level. I mean, it’s 1-0 head-to-head against Rune. I mean, he’s up on me right now. Great matches with Jannik,” Alcaraz said. “I don’t feel at the time I’m the best in my generation. There are a lot of great players in my age… We are going to share great moments. That’s all I can say right now.”
Alcaraz is simply focused on the task at hand, which is competing at Wimbledon. He will play another Frenchman, Alexandre Muller or Arthur Rinderknech, in the second round. His goal for the fortnight is clear.
“To win the tournament. That’s the main goal right now for me,” Alcaraz said. “I have a lot of confidence right now. The main goal for me this tournament is to win, to win it.”