Carlos Alcaraz fell at the quarter-final stage of the Shanghai Masters but got to spend time with tennis legend Roger Federer.
Alcaraz was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in the quarter-finals by Czech star Thomas Machac, after winning the China Open against Jannik Sinner the week prior.
It continued a period of inconsistency in a season that has seen Alcaraz remarkably pick up two Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz won the French Open title, beating Alexander Zverev in straight sets earlier this year, before adding to his Major tally by winning Wimbledon in July.
Alcaraz exited the US Open at the second round, falling to Botic van de Zandschulp in one of the biggest shocks of the season, before recently suffering another early exit at the Paris Masters.
The Spaniard may have had mixed results in the latter part of the season, but he certainly learned a lot from Federer at the Shanghai Masters.
Carlos Alcaraz reveals what Roger Federer told him after practicing together
Speaking to Marca ahead of this year’s ATP Finals in Turin, Alcaraz revealed what it was like training with Federer at the Shanghai Masters.
“The timing is there. Roger will always have that quality,” he said.
“He played so easily with me.
“He told me that it was the first time he had played with that intensity since he retired.
“He hit the ball so easily, so naturally, with such elegance.”
Alcaraz went on to say how impressed he was with Federer’s level.
“It seemed as if he had never retired,” said the Spaniard.
“Obviously when the point was extended he was like he was, but the feeling I had was that he never retired.”
The pair spent a lot of time together in Shanghai, and Alcaraz used the opportunity to learn from one of the greats.
“I had the chance to play with him, to talk to him, to ask him things about his career, how it went, what he’s done,” he said.
“My career has just started, and I tried to ask him things that would be useful for the future.
“Then we watched the Masters 1000 final together and we talked a bit about everything: the match, the final with Djokovic at the Games, things he would have done.
“It was a great moment for me, and I hope he comes to see me play more often.”
How does Carlos Alcaraz compare to Roger Federer at 21-years-old?
Federer is one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen, winning 20 Grand Slam titles and holding the number one ranking for 310 weeks.
Alcaraz would love to emulate the Swiss stars success, but how do the two compare at 21-years-old?
| Name | Grand Slam titles | Masters 1000 titles | Weeks at number one |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 4 | 5 | 36 |
| Roger Federer | 1 | 1 | 0 |
The stats quite clearly show that the young Spaniard is off to a very strong start and has had a much quicker ascent to the top of tennis than Federer did all those years ago.
However, whilst Federer may not have won multiple slams at 21, things looked very different just a year or so later.
Federer’s 2004 season saw him pick up three Grand Slam titles and three Masters 1000 titles, a mightily impressive year.
A season like that for Alcaraz in 2025 would be an incredible achievement, and one that would set him a part from the rest of his ATP rivals.
Alcaraz will begin his ATP Finals campaign against Casper Ruud on Monday.
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