In 2019, Roger Federer geared up for what he thought would be just another practice session at Wimbledon.

Prior to his quarter-final against Kei Nishikori, the Swiss maestro had enlisted the help of Spanish legend Juan Carlos Ferrero for a hit to get him warmed up.

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As Federer’s warm-up came to an end, Ferrero introduced the tennis superstar to a fresh-faced Spanish teenager: Carlos Alcaraz.

According to one Twitter user, Ferrero even instructed Federer to let loose against the budding prodigy, although the validity of those exact quotes aren’t certain.

Regardless, it was an early indication Alcaraz was destined for something special.

The youngster even reflected on the experience in an interview with Tennis Majorsin 2020.

“It went extremely well, it was a unique experience for me,” Alcaraz said.

“I was very pleased afterwards and I learnt a lot.

“At the beginning I was a bit nervous since a lot of people were watching us, but as the practice went on I started to relax more and ultimately I enjoyed it very much”

Four years on from hitting with Federer as a 17-year-old and Alcaraz is now a Wimbledon champion.

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The 20-year-old secured the honour in a thrilling five-set victory over seven-time Wimbledon champ Novak Djokovic that even had English and Hollywood royalty going berserk.

Alcaraz’s triumph helped secure his second major after winning the US Open in 2022, while also becoming Wimbledon’s third-youngest champion.

Not only that, but it ended Djokovic’s 10-year run without defeat on centre court at Wimbledon.

But, most importantly, it was a victory for the next generation of tennis superstars over the only man capable of carrying the torch for the sport’s ‘Big Three’ given Federer has since retired and Rafael Nadal remains plagued by injury woes.

Granted, the 36-year-old Djokovic is highly likely to retain a presence in the latter stages of grand slams for a few years to come.

Juan Carlos Ferrero was in tears after Alcaraz’s Wimbledon triumph. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Yet Alcaraz has proved that the future is now, even if he may have demonstrated that when having a brief hit with Federer back in 2019.

Ferrero’s warning — if you can call it that — to Federer also proved how the former knew just how special the young talent was.

Yet it didn’t stop Ferrero, Alcaraz’s coach, bursting into tears after watching his protege dethrone Djokovic on centre court at Wimbledon.

Whether Alcaraz can emulate Federer’s feat of 20 grand slam titles remains to be seen.

But if he goes on to accomplish the staggering feat, perhaps it is Federer who may feel fortunate he got to have a hit with Alcaraz before the world truly got to bear witness to his extraordinary talent.