Roger Federer says there is a ‘noticeable’ generational change in tennis after Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff successes

Roger Federer says there is a “really noticeable” generational change happening in men’s and women’s tennis.

This year, two of tennis young stars have won Grand Slam titles. Carlos Alcaraz, 20, beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final while USA’s Coco Gauff, 19, lifted her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open by overcoming Australian Open 2023 champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (25).

Federer, who won 22 Grand Slam titles and 103 in total in his decorated career, believes the “records will always tumble”.

“A lot still going on in tennis of course, as always,” he said.

“The records will always tumble. Or just the stories always rewritten. And just for example the US Open was great with the record [24 Grand Slam titles] of course by Novak Djokovic.

“And of course I was also very happy about Coco Gauff’s victory. I’ve known her for five years, when she was very young, and this was a great victory for her.

“We have a new world No.1 in women’s tennis [Sabalenka], Alcaraz, who won Wimbledon.

“And just the new generational change is really noticeable. It’s a bit of a shame for me that I haven’t been able to play against a few in the last couple of years.

“But I think it’s great what’s going on in tennis at the moment and I still follow it very, very closely.”

Federer says tennis is in a healthy place right now and that more new players will continue to break up the dominance previously maintained by himself, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the men’s game.

Federer said: “I think it’s still going well, not that there would somehow be a slump after I retired or that Rafa is injured at the moment.

“The story continues and that will always be the case. Tennis will always be played by new players but at the same time, the way I see these players moving on the court now is unbelievable. And I think many more will come.

“The new players have interesting personalities and tennis is still right up there in the world of sport, and that is beautiful for me to see.”

Federer also reveals what he has been up to during his retirement.

“I’m surprised how much I actually still have going on,” he said.

“I was thinking, so okay, you stop and then there’s nothing left to do. But it’s not like that at all. I’m still very busy with all my partners together or then also for the foundation I’m travelling a lot, was also in Africa for the first time, in Lesotho, with the family. That was absolutely great.

“Then, of course, I was also at the UN right now, working for early learning in the world and especially in southern Africa, so that hopefully more children can go to school, because that needs a lot more money and a lot more opportunities from the big countries. And I’m committed to that and then I’m designing shoes, clothes, tennis racquets.

“So I’m still fully involved and I’m always very happy when there’s a new project for me.”