‘Jealous’ Alcaraz craves Federer’s advice during Djokovic revenge mission at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON — There was no room for sentiment out on No 1 Court. Carlos Alcaraz has a job to do, a tournament to win, and the top seed showed little mercy when beating the retiring Jeremy Chardy in straight sets on Tuesday afternoon.

Some players baulk at the prospect of serving their opponents a bagel, but Alcaraz dished one out in ruthless fashion, winning the first eight games en route to a 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 victory in just shy of two hours.

As a result, the crowd craving competition rather than a procession cheered louder for Chardy throughout, the loudest moment reserved for the first game he won, the second for his departure off court, with the 36-year-old Frenchman doing two pirouettes while applauding as he waved farewell to professional tennis.

Nevertheless, the crowd were still awestruck by Alcaraz, gasping from the second point of the match as a blistering return outlined why this emerging talent turned household name is deemed most capable of ending Novak Djokovic’s lengthy reign.

Alcaraz may get the inevitable comparisons with Spanish compatriot Rafael Nadal, but there are similarities with Djokovic too that go beyond just the hairstyle, his movement and flexibility frighteningly like the Serbian he could well meet on 16 July.

And having previously likened his own game to Roger Federer – a fierce blend, therefore, of tennis’ Big Three – Alcaraz admitted being jealous that the Swiss had graced Centre Court instead on Tuesday, and hopes to have words with the 20-time grand slam champion when the opportunity arises.

“After the match I was on the phone checking everything I have, all the stories, all the posts,” Alcaraz said. “I saw that Roger Federer was here. I was a little bit jealous. Honestly, I want Roger Federer to watch one of my matches obviously. I wish to talk a little bit with him. For me it would be amazing. I hope to see him around more than once.”

He will surely get the chance to speak with the eight-time Wimbledon winner this fortnight. A box-office player who has the world at his feet, the talk is that Alcaraz needs a worthy rival to propel men’s tennis into its new era – he was pictured with Jannik Sinner in Wimbledon’s controversial poster in the build-up to this tournament – but for now this crossover era will do just nicely, a rivalry with Djokovic that could yet have years left to run, one ignited by their French Open meeting last month.

“I don’t feel that I’m the best of my generation,” Alcaraz somewhat humbly said afterwards. “I mean, [Jannik] Sinner is there. [Holger] Rune, as well. They are playing a great level. There are a lot of great players at my age. We are going to share great moments. That’s all I can say right now.”

But right now it is difficult to look beyond an Alcaraz-Djokovic final at Wimbledon. The pair are in opposite sides of the draw, although it is Alcaraz who must improve on his first two displays at SW19, where he reached the second round on debut in 2021 before making the fourth round last year.

Alcaraz also went close to an early Queen’s exit before eventually lifting the hefty trophy last month, ensuring he arrived at Wimbledon as the top seed, and so he will know there is plenty of room for improvement on a surface he is still getting to grips with.

That was evident on Tuesday, beyond a slip in the third game, for despite a ruthless first two sets he soon discovered this level can ill-afford to drop. He was, after all, gifted the first set in 22 minutes as Chardy sent down seven double faults; one first serve even bouncing yards before the net.

But come the third set, Chardy had warmed to the task, eager for a final flourish in his 56^th and last grand slam, and when showing flashes of the player that was once world No 25 he was able to break Alcaraz to take a 4-2 lead.

Alcaraz showed signs of frustration, for once not getting things his own way, but in truth – after he broke back twice to wrap up the match – this was an ideal obstacle to overcome, a first-round test completed relatively swiftly but with a mini wake-up call that should only serve him well later on in the tournament.

“To win it,” Alcaraz then said afterwards, when asked about his aim this fortnight. “That’s the main goal right now for me. I have a lot of confidence right now.”

Alcaraz faces another Frenchman next in the form of either Alexandre Muller Arthur Rinderknech.