Federer Discusses the Competitive Landscape of 'Sinca' and Whether Fonseca Can Become a 'Game Changer'

On January 15th Beijing time, Swiss legend Federer attended the 2026 Australian Open press conference. He is scheduled to make an appearance at this year's Australian Open opening ceremony on Saturday and will participate alongside several tennis legends in the "Battle of the World No.1s" event.

Photo of Federer

When asked about his view on the current rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner and their performances at this Australian Open, Federer said, "This is exactly why we follow sports — anything can happen. Although there are favorites, once the draw is out, every player focuses on their next opponent and prepares for the upcoming days; that’s what truly matters."

“The matches between Alcaraz and Sinner have been thrilling, showcasing extremely high tennis standards. Last year’s French Open final was unbelievable. Tennis doesn’t need such matchups to prove its value, but having them is fantastic. In that five-set battle, Sinner could have won earlier, but it ended in such a dramatic way, making it one of the greatest matches in tennis history. They met in several finals afterward, continuing this intense rivalry. Everyone is chasing them, while they strive to widen the gap. Their progress over recent years is evident. I have trained with them, and their shot-making skills are exceptional. There’s definitely more exciting tennis to come, and I hope they stay injury-free.”

Alcaraz has a chance to pursue the "Career Grand Slam" at this Australian Open, an achievement Federer worked hard to unlock, finally achieving it at the 2009 French Open. Speaking about Alcaraz’s prospects, Federer stated, “After the first round, momentum shifts, and players start fighting point by point. Honestly, completing a career Grand Slam this early is quite extraordinary. Let’s see if he can make this miracle happen this week. I hope he does, because it would be an incredible and special moment for tennis. However, there are over a hundred other players who will say, 'We won’t let him have it easily,' and they will all try their best to stop him.”

When asked if Fonseca has the potential to become the third force breaking the dominance of the “Sinca” duo, Federer gave high praise to the young Brazilian star: “What sets him apart from many others is his power — forehand, backhand, serve — he shows strong strength in every point. He’s passionate, has a great presence, and is very likable. I enjoy watching him play. I briefly met him at the Laver Cup and have seen him play both courtside and from the stands, which left a strong impression on me. I think he’s a bit like me — needing more time to refine his skills, like Sinner, learning when to hold back and when to attack fully. Once he masters this, his future is clearly very bright. He is definitely one of the players capable of competing for the highest honors.”

(Text and editing by Dato, photos by Li Jianyi)