French tennis player Alexandre Muller had an unexpected reunion with a legend last November — not on the tennis court, but on a golf course in Dubai.
Muller, 28, was out for a round of golf when he realized he was playing just behind 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, whom he had practiced with in the past during their time on the ATP Tour.
“I never played him in a match, but we practised together before,” Muller told ATPTour.com. “He had a tee time 10 minutes before mine, so I was behind him for nine or ten holes. Toward the end, we walked together and chatted. It was cool.”
They didn’t talk much about tennis, according to Muller, but he did admire Federer’s golf game — and joked about what the Swiss legend might be aiming for next.
“He’s playing really well,” said Muller. “I think he’s practising a lot. Maybe he wants to beat Rafa now — in golf!”
Now back on the ATP Tour, Muller is preparing for a serious tennis challenge. On Monday, he’ll face top seed and two-time champion Alexander Zverev in the opening round of the BMW Open by Bitpanda in Munich — now an upgraded ATP 500 event.
“I think the crowd will be on his side, for sure,” said Muller. “It should be a great battle. I’ve had time to practise here, so let’s see what happens.”
The two have met once before — at the 2024 US Open — where Zverev won in straight sets.
But Muller is no stranger to facing hostile crowds. Earlier this year in Rio de Janeiro, he upset rising Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca in the first round, winning 6-1, 7-6(4), despite the loud local support for the hometown favorite.
“I was proud of myself,” he said. “It was a tough match. In South America, the atmosphere is intense. But it was a great match and a great tournament. I reached the final, my first at the ATP 500 level.”
Currently ranked No. 40 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Muller is just one spot below his career high. After years of grinding to break into the Top 100 — which he first achieved in April 2023 — Muller’s recent success in Hong Kong and Rio shows a player finding his rhythm.
In January, he won his first ATP Tour title in Hong Kong, setting the tone for a strong 2025.
“I’m not doing anything different on court,” he said. “Off court, there’s a bit more media, but I’m still the same guy, same player. I just had a great start to the year, and now I’m confident. I’m trying to keep playing this way every week.”
Looking ahead to the European clay-court season, Muller is optimistic. He currently holds a 5-3 record on clay this year and is aiming to build on his first main-draw win at Roland Garros, which came in 2024.
“I think clay is my best surface,” he said. “I grew up playing on it, and my forehand has a lot of spin, which works well on clay. I won in Hong Kong, so I can play well on hard courts too, but clay is where I feel strongest.”
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