Roger Federer Says Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner French Open Final Marks Tennis’ New Era Ahead of Laver Cup 2025

Federer sees the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry as defining tennis’ future.

Sep 7, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) and Jannik Sinner (ITA) pose for a photos a the net prior to the final of mens singles at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Roger Federer believes men’s tennis has entered a new era, pointing to the 2025 French Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the true moment of arrival for the sport’s next great rivalry. Speaking ahead of this year’s Laver Cup in San Francisco, the 20-time Grand Slam champion praised the pair as the new standard-bearers while backing Alcaraz to make a decisive impact for Team Europe.

“I think the French Open, for me, was the match the game needed to move on from the post-Roger, Rafa and Serena [Williams] time,” Federer told CNBC. “To truly embrace this rivalry and this incredible shot-making that Carlos and Jannik have right now. I think Novak is right there as well. He played in all four semis [in Grand Slams] this year in the majors, which is incredible.”

Roger Federer is excited by the new dynasty formed by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner 🤩

He reckons tennis moved on from the ‘old’ legends after Roland-Garros 👀 pic.twitter.com/J2cyPk1OiJ

— TNT Sports (@tntsports) September 18, 2025
Federer Weighs in on Alcaraz, Sinner, and the New Era

Federer, co-founder of the Laver Cup, also tipped Alcaraz to be decisive for Team Europe when the event gets underway in San Francisco. He highlighted the Spaniard’s sparkling form as a key advantage over Team World, who are looking to regain the trophy after Europe’s triumph in Berlin last year.

“I think Europe is probably the favorite, mainly because of Alcaraz and [Alexander] Zverev on the team,” Federer said. “Especially Alcaraz, he’s playing tennis on another level, honestly. I always enjoy watching Carlos. He’s a real treat to watch.”

He added, “I do think that Europe probably overall has a stronger team, and I think the doubles are not as crucial this time around because I think both teams are about equally strong in the doubles. It’s going to come down to the singles. I think with Carlos Alcaraz on the team and him already arriving in San Francisco and ready to go, I give Europe the edge here in San Francisco to take it home again.”

With Alcaraz and Sinner having claimed every Grand Slam title since the beginning of 2024, Federer’s comments reinforced what the sport has already witnessed. But by identifying their 2025 French Open clash as the defining marker, he underlined the sense that tennis has embraced a new generation of superstars.

Roger Federer on IG after Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s historic Roland Garros final

“3 winners in Paris today. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and the beautiful game of tennis.” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/AqwQdl4FGc

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 9, 2025
From the Big Three to Today’s Dual Reign

However, this conversation inevitably turns to the question of who will emerge as the “third man” of this generation. Two decades ago, the fire-and-ice rivalry of Nadal and Federer was already iconic, but it was the arrival of Novak Djokovic that completed the equation. Universally hailed by fellow athletes as untouchable at his peak, the Serb transformed the Big Two into the Big Three. Andy Murray, through sheer resilience, carved out his place in that golden age as well, stretching the narrative into the famed Big Four.

Now the sport finds itself at a similar crossroads. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner ruling the majors and setting new standards, the hunt is on for the player who can join them at the very top. A few names have tried to stake that claim, but until someone proves they can consistently withstand the furnace tennis as a sport, it remains pure speculation. For the moment, the truth is evident that men’s tennis belongs to the dual reign of Alcaraz and Sinner. Now even validated by Roger Federer.

Mandatory Image Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Rudra Dubey

nfl
nfl

mma
mma

I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.