Roger Federer talks Alcaraz-Sinner on AO return | ATP Tour

Roger Federer

Federer talks Alcaraz-Sinner & ‘one of the most important points of my career’ on AO return

The Swiss legend spoke to the media on Thursday at Melbourne Park

January 15, 2026

Even in a career as full of highlights as Roger Federer’s, some moments still stand out.

The Swiss actor was a six-time champion at the Australian Open, when he spoke to the media on Thursday before his appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the main court. However, for many reasons, Federer points to his fifth title in Melbourne as the one that stands out the most.

“I think it should be 2017 because of the way it ended in the final against Rafa.” recalled Federer, who was 35 years old and had not played a tour-level match for six months when he arrived at that year’s Australian Open. “It was unexpected. I came here unexpectedly … maybe I would have been happy in the quarters. I think Seve [Luthi]my private coach, Ivan [Ljubicic]i believe i can do it. I was like, ‘Yeah, no, not 17 years old in the world, not playing in six months, all that’.

“I played very well in the Hopman Cup. I came here feeling good. However, I knew that I played in a tough draw, I had to go through the big boys to get close to winning. I think the way the final played makes it one of the most special I have ever had in my career.”

Federer defeated arch-rival Rafael Nadal in a five-set tournament to end his 2017 run at Melbourne Park. The match featured a 26-shot rally, with Nadal at 3-4, playing in the fifth set, which Federer claimed with a stunning forehand down the line. It was a shot that will live long in the memory of tennis fans.

“I’ve seen it many, many times,” said Federer, who also won the Melbourne title in 2004, 2006-07, 2010 and 2018. “All my friends send it to me. In the algorithm of people I know. [keeps] in passing. Great point, probably one of the most important I’ve had in my gaming career. What a game, what a celebration, just for a moment.”

The new Lexus ATP Head2Head Rivalry has entered the tennis scene in the same vein as Federer vs. Nadal is the one between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The two have won the last eight major titles between them and will go head-to-head for the last three Grand Slam titles in 2025, including a five-set battle at Roland Garros in which Alcaraz saved three match points in the third set before triumphing.

“The rivalry with Alcaraz and Sinner is very good,” said Federer. “They played amazing tennis. I think the final of the French Open was unreal. I think the match, not that you needed it, but it was nice that we had it. I feel like for a moment, for a moment, the world stopped in sports and looked towards Paris, what happened in that magnificent fifth set because it could have ended very soon, it is clear for Jannik.

“Then all of a sudden it ended like this. Probably one of the biggest games we’ve ever had in our sport. It’s good that we’re still alive in that momentum. They backed it up by playing each other in every other final. Everyone’s trying to keep up and trying to pull away. What we’ve seen in terms of their development over the years, I’ve done amazing things over the years. Amazing strikers. Obviously there’s more to come.”

Number 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Sinner comes to this year’s Australian Open as the two-time defending champion. Meanwhile the World No. 1 Alcaraz has the chance to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam (winning all four major titles) if he can lift his first trophy at Melbourne Park.

“[Carlos] you know about it. It’s like Rory [McIlroy] to the Kings. Those things are difficult,” Federer said when asked about Alcaraz’s chances. Then it’s mind-for-point. It’s true, to complete a career Grand Slam is already crazy now.

“So let’s see if he can do ‘crazy’ this week. I hope he does because in the game, again, that would be an incredible, special moment. He’s got a hundred or so other players saying, ‘We don’t agree with those plans’. They might try to stop him.”