Roger Federer involved in Carlos Alcaraz dispute at Australian Open | Tennis | Sport

Roger Federer has proved British tennis icon Tim Henman right after he was involved in a disagreement concerning Carlos Alcaraz. The young Spaniard is bidding to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

Alcaraz is one of men’s tennis’ flagbearers alongside Jannik Sinner and at the age of 22, he already has six Grand Slam titles to his name but he is yet to claim victory in Melbourne. In December 2025, Alcaraz shockingly announced a split from long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez will lead him into the first major of 2026. Federer’s name has been mooted as a future coach of Alcaraz and on TNT Sports, Henman and one of his colleagues didn’t see eye to eye on the matter. The Swiss icon has now addressed such a possibility.

Former Swedish tennis ace Mats Wilander was discussing with Henman who could come in to coach Alcaraz and said: “I think Roger Federer would be the ideal coach for Carlos Alcaraz.”

But when probed for a response to this, former British No. 1 Henman had a very different outlook. He said: “I don’t think Federer is necessarily the right person or that he has the inclination to coach.

“I think there have been a lot of great Spanish players. I wonder whether he will look to work with a Spaniard, but he has to make the right choice. He doesn’t need to rush into it. He can obviously see who’s out there because any tennis coach is going to want to work with Carlos Alcaraz.

“He has such an immense talent. But in the short term, the press conference and his performance at the Australian Open will be under even more scrutiny just because of the decision he’s made.”

Speaking this week in Melbourne, Federer proved Henman’s claim entirely correct, admitting he is not looking into coaching at the moment. The 20-time Grand Slam winner retired in September 2022.

“Never say never. [Stefan] Edberg said the same. I’m very busy, I’ve got four children. No chance for the moment,” Federer replied when asked if he would soon be heading into coaching.

Federer also addressed the possibility of Alcaraz winning the only Grand Slam he has yet to get his hands on. He added: “It’s like Rory [McIlroy] going for the Masters, those things are tough.

“At his young age, completing the career Grand Slam would be crazy. Let’s see if he is able to do crazy this week. I hope he does because for the game it would be an unbelievably special moment.”