Carlos Alcaraz’s captivating journey to the Roland Garros quarter-finals has once again ignited discussions among tennis experts, with one prominent voice going as far as to proclaim him Roger Federer’s “true heir.” The young Spaniard’s blend of power, touch, and court presence has drawn striking comparisons to the Swiss maestro, hinting at a new era of compelling tennis.
The Dazzling Run to the Quarter-Finals
Alcaraz has been in scintillating form at Roland Garros 2025, demonstrating a growing maturity and tactical prowess on the Parisian clay. His path to the quarter-finals has been marked by dominant performances and a display of his diverse skill set. Most recently, he overcame American Ben Shelton in a four-set battle, showcasing his ability to control match flow and unleash dynamic shot-making. This victory was more than just an advancement; it was a masterclass that left a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike.
“He’s Like Federer”: An Expert’s High Praise
Following Alcaraz’s win over Shelton, renowned tennis expert Mark Petchey, who also coaches Emma Raducanu and serves as a pundit for TNT Sports, made a significant observation that reverberated across the tennis world. Petchey stated, “The thing about Carlos, whenever you watch him and whenever you see him on an order of play, I don’t care even if it is a complete one-sided affair where he is dominating. He is able to carry a tennis match in the same way that Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at times can carry tennis matches.”
Petchey elaborated on this, saying, “You can take away something from that, even if it’s a 1 and 2 or it’s a four setter today, you are going to go back and think I want to go back and watch this guy play tennis. He does things on a tennis court that very, very few players can do.”
The Roger Federer Parallel: More Than Just Style
The comparisons to Roger Federer are not made lightly in the tennis world. What distinguished Federer, beyond his 20 Grand Slam titles, was his seemingly effortless style, elegance, and the unique ability to make even one-sided matches enthralling to watch. Petchey argues that Alcaraz possesses this same captivating magnetism.
Alcaraz’s game, characterized by forehand winners and agile drop shots, is seen by many as a reflection of a champion inspired by the greats, yet determined to carve out his own unique legacy. While other experts like Mats Wilander have drawn comparisons between Alcaraz and the “Big Three” as a whole, highlighting his overall completeness, Petchey’s specific emphasis on the “carrying a match” quality strongly links Alcaraz to Federer’s unique crowd-pulling ability.
