Former American tennis player Jack Sock recently revealed that he felt like one of the most disliked tennis players in the world after his doubles victory at the Laver Cup against tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both Federer and Nadal are considered two of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won 20 and 22 Grand Slam titles, respectively.
In 2022, Federer and Nadal teamed up for a highly anticipated Laver Cup match. To the surprise of many, they were defeated by the duo of Frances Tiafoe and Sock. This match held special significance as it marked Federer’s final professional appearance, with the Swiss icon retiring shortly after, having struggled with fitness issues.
Sock reflected on this experience during an appearance on the *Nothing Major* podcast, where he admitted feeling like the “most hated” tennis player in the world for being part of the team that defeated such beloved figures in the sport. He also spoke about the emotional challenge of facing two of the most adored players in tennis history.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer has been full of praise for Carlos Alcaraz, but he also offered a word of caution for the 21-year-old rising star. Speaking to *Stan Sport*, Federer acknowledged Alcaraz’s intensity, shot power, and physical capabilities, but advised him to be mindful of not overexerting himself by chasing every ball. He emphasized that with experience, Alcaraz will learn to manage his energy better.
Reflecting on Alcaraz’s victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final, Federer highlighted his “incredible movement and power.” He remarked that Djokovic typically excels in fifth-set situations, and for Alcaraz to win such a match demonstrated that he is poised for a long and successful career.
Alcaraz had a dominant year, securing titles at both the French Open and Wimbledon. However, he experienced an early exit at the US Open, partly due to the exhaustion following the Olympics. At the Australian Open, he reached the quarterfinals, his best result in Melbourne so far.
