A plausible hypothetical: Alcaraz vs. Federer in 2021

[Sport]

The legendary Roger Federer, who recently visited San Francisco, played his last two Slams in 2021. A coincidence of destiny, the great Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, debuted at the main draw of Slams that year too. It is the one and only year they could've theoretically coincided in Slams.

At RG 2021, Roger reached the 4R (and beat Cilic in the 2nd round) but withdrawed immediately to avoid injuries and to focus on his last Wimbledon. Alcaraz lost in straigth sets to Struff in the 3R of RG 2021. Interesting note: Alcaraz lost 6-1, 6-2 to Nadal in Madrid 2021

At W 2021, Roger lost to Hurkacz in straght sets in the QF. Meanwhile at the same event, Carlitos lost to Medvedev in the second round.

So, who would've won a hypothetical but plausible matchup between these two legends at RG and W in 2021?

 

[Pheasant]

Let's break it down:

2021 Wimbledon:
Alcaraz struggled to a 5 set win over Uchiyama, a guy that never once made it to the 2nd round of a slam(career 11-27 record in ATP matches)..
Federer: beat 29th seed Norrie in 4 and he beat 23rd seed Sonego in straights en route to the QF.

Fed was far better at Wimbledon. However, by the time they would have met, Fed's knee would have been a massive issue. He could barely move in that QF match. So hypothetically, had Alcaraz made it that far, then he would have stomped the injured Fed in the QF.

2021 FO:
Alcaraz: Nice win in straights over 28th seed Basilashvili in straights in the 2nd round. In the 3rd round, he was beaten in straights by unseeded Stuff.
Federer: Federer needed 4 to beat Cilic and Koepfer to get to the 4th round.

Both weren't in great form at that FO. I'd say that Fed was still in slightly better form than baby Alcaraz at that stage. However, had they met, then I believe it wouldn't have been until the final. But that time, Fed would have been in a wheel chair and on life support. Alcaraz would have won that too.

 

[aldeayeah]

Fed wins both unless he busts a knee. He was pretty decent in RG actually. Raz was not ready for prime time yet.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Let's break it down:

2021 Wimbledon:
Alcaraz struggled to a 5 set win over Uchiyama, a guy that never once made it to the 2nd round of a slam(career 11-27 record in ATP matches)..
Federer: beat 29th seed Norrie in 4 and he beat 23rd seed Sonego in straights en route to the QF.

Fed was far better at Wimbledon. However, by the time they would have met, Fed's knee would have been a massive issue. He could barely move in that QF match. So hypothetically, had Alcaraz made it that far, then he would have stomped the injured Fed in the QF.

2021 FO:
Alcaraz: Nice win in straights over 28th seed Basilashvili in straights in the 2nd round. In the 3rd round, he was beaten in straights by unseeded Stuff.
Federer: Federer needed 4 to beat Cilic and Koepfer to get to the 4th round.

Both weren't in great form at that FO. I'd say that Fed was still in slightly better form than baby Alcaraz at that stage. However, had they met, then I believe it wouldn't have been until the final. But that time, Fed would have been in a wheel chair and on life support. Alcaraz would have won that too.

I don't like hypothetical threads but this is definitely interesting one.

I think Raz would win the clay bout and we would have to force the draw to make it happen earlier. At this pt Roger didn't play RG to win matches, he was already in search of form for grass. So he wouldn't bother getting worked up on this. His RG draw was big hitters and not someone with defense like tiny Carlos.

 

[FeroBango]

Fed wins both unless he busts a knee. He was pretty decent in RG actually. Raz was not ready for prime time yet.

I hated that he withdrew in the middle of the tournament. The clay was kinder to his knees too.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

I hated that he withdrew in the middle of the tournament. The clay was kinder to his knees too.

This is the biggest myth. Federer withdrew from the FO because he knew his knee needed surgery on it again and Wimbledon maybe his last.