“It’s incredible”: Carlos Alcaraz reacts after matching Roger Federer at the Laver Cup

Sunday, 27 September 2026 at 08:30

Carlos Alcaraz had Roger Federer on his mind as he reached another milestone at the Laver Cup, matching the Swiss legend’s 18-point tally after a dramatic victory over Taylor Fritz. The Spaniard also offered an insight into another decision shaping his approach to the competition, explaining why he does not want to add more doubles to an already demanding schedule.

Alcaraz kept Team Europe alive in London by beating Fritz 6-3, 4-6, 12-10 in one of the most dramatic matches of the weekend. The Spaniard saved two match points in the deciding match tiebreak before finishing the contest with a trademark drop shot.

The victory was particularly important after Europe had lost the opening singles match of the day, with Alexander Zverev beaten by Alex de Minaur. Alcaraz's two points brought the European team level with Team World at 5-5 before Zverev and Casper Ruud won the doubles match to put Europe ahead 7-5.

The result also continued Alcaraz's strong record at the Laver Cup. He has now collected 18 points from 10 matches, matching Federer's total despite having played two fewer matches than the competition's co-founder. Only Zverev and Jack Sock have accumulated more points in the event.

Alcaraz had Federer milestone in mind

Federer's 18 points had not escaped Alcaraz's attention. Speaking after his victory over Fritz, the Spaniard admitted that he knew exactly what was at stake statistically and described matching one of the defining figures in Laver Cup history as an incredible achievement.

“It’s incredible. I had it in mind. To be third right now, tied with Roger, is incredible," the Spaniard said according to Marca. "We try to help the team as much as we can, in every possible way. And honestly, I’m happy that the statistic reflects the help I’m giving Team Europe every time I come.”

The comparison carries particular weight because Federer remains one of the central figures behind the competition. He played 12 matches across his Laver Cup career, winning eight and losing four, with all four defeats coming in doubles.

Alcaraz has reached the same 18-point mark while winning eight of his 10 matches (4-1 singles, 4-1 doubles). His contribution has also come at a time when he is rebuilding his rhythm after injury and trying to reach his best physical level before the Asian swing.

The Spaniard explained that the team environment has helped him through the more stressful moments of competition.

“Having a team behind me reminds me that I play for them too, that they support me in stressful moments. I’m very happy for them and for the victory because I think it was very important considering how the score was.”

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Laver Points Won

Player	Points Won	Total matches	Singles Points (W-L)	Doubles Points (W-L)
Alexander Zverev	21	17	17-11	4-5
Jack Sock	20	16	1-4	19-5
Carlos Alcaraz	18	10	10-2	8-2
Roger Federer	18	12	15-0	3-8
John Isner	15	11	5-11	15-13
Taylor Fritz	15	12	14-6	1-2
Casper Ruud	14	11	6-1	8-4

Why Alcaraz is avoiding more doubles

While Alcaraz has embraced the team aspect of the Laver Cup, he is not interested in taking on more doubles simply for the sake of contributing another point. “I’m an explosive player and after matches I have to recover well. If I take that time to play doubles, it doesn’t help my individual career.”

The decision also fits into Alcaraz's wider approach to his physical recovery. He revealed that he had spent almost a week away from his racket before the Laver Cup and felt that the break had helped him return with a better physical base.

“I spent almost a week without touching the racket and it helped me. Little by little I’m getting back to my level. And the serve is something I’m still working on and I’ve made a couple of changes.”

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His victory over Fritz nevertheless showed that there is still work to do. Alcaraz was pushed through a high-intensity contest and admitted that these matches are useful in assessing exactly where his game stands.

“Taylor’s level didn’t surprise me. The intensity of the shots was very high and it is nice for the fans watching from the outside. These matches help me see where my level is.”

The Spaniard will now look to build on that progress as the season moves towards the Asian swing. For Alcaraz, matching Federer has provided another Laver Cup milestone, while his decision over doubles underlines a broader priority: protecting his body while continuing to raise his singles level.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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