Carlos Alcaraz says he and Roger Federer have played golf while both are in Melbourne for the Australian Open. The world No.1 says the six-time Australian Open champion has now been playing the sport for two years.
Federer, 44, is twice Alcaraz’s age, 22, but is already beating him despite the Spaniard starting playing golf as a teenager. Andy Murray is another former tennis player who took up the sport after retiring 18 months ago.
The former Australian Open semi-finalist, Wally Masur, asked Alcaraz about his golf during an on-court interview after his second-round match. Masur’s question was about whether the top-seed had spent any time on Melbourne’s famed golf courses yet.
Alcaraz replied: “I have played already,” before laughing. “We can now waste time to play some golf.” After acknowledging he also plans to practice on his days off, Alcaraz added: “The golf courses are waiting for me, and I know that, and I will show up for sure.”
He then said: “I was lucky to play with Roger.” Asked about Federer’s golf game, Alcaraz added that it’s “as beautiful as the tennis. I’m not surprised, either. It’s unbelievable. He does everything in a really beautiful style. On the golf course, he has a really beautiful swing. He plays really, really good.
“I think he’s been playing for two years now, and his level is really, really good for two years. I’ve been playing for five, and he already beats me, so it hurts!”
Murray is another former tennis player who loves golf. He spoke on The Romesh Ranganathan Show in November about his ambitions in the sport. “I’m considering becoming a golf caddie, hopefully for a professional golfer at some stage.
“I love golf, and if you love that sport, then I think it would be a great job. If you were working with a top golfer, being there when they’re having a great moment on the course and feeling like you can help a little bit with decisions or things like that, I think it would be a brilliant job.”
Murray added: “Dream pro to caddie for would be Robert MacIntyre I mean, that’s like a dream. Imagine carrying Robert MacIntyre’s bag when he wins The Open or something like that. That would be a dream job.”
Playing-wise, his hopes are more humble. “I don’t have ambitions of playing in The Open,” Murray said at Wentworth last year. “I want to try and play in like the regional qualifying at some stage. A couple of my friends have done it, and it would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you’re able to do that. I would do it, but I certainly don’t think I would have any chance of qualifying for The Open.”