January 5, 2005

Federer Finds A Coach In Roche

By Brad Falkner, Tennis Week

Roger Federer has an appreciation for the classics. The Swiss stylist who plays traditional tennis in elegantly explosive fashion has hired a classic coach — International Tennis Hall of Fame member Tony Roche — to serve as his new coaching consultant.

The top-ranked Swiss confirmed he will be working with the Aussie coaching legend on a limited basis throughout the year.

"It's going to be very little (time together on tour), if you only count the practice weeks and some preparation week for the tournaments," Federer told a small group of international journalists in today's roundtable interview. "He's not going to fly from Australia for three days somewhere around the world. It's not going to be much; maybe we'll play it by ear and say 'OK, now I have more time, now I have less time.' I have no idea (the exact length of time we will work together) it's just good for me to know that I have somebody if I would call him. For me that is a big relief to carry me through this next year. I asked him what he wants me to call him he said 'Anything is fine.' He's sort of a consultant, maybe a coach when he's with me and when he's not there with me he's my friend. "

The 23-year-old Federer, who has played without a coach since parting company with Peter Lundgren in December of 2003, had been trying to coax Roche into accepting a full-time coaching post for the past six months. But Roche, who reportedly suffers from chronic arthritic hip pain and is also active working with talented Australian juniors, is not interested in traveling full time so the pair agreed to a part-time position.

The four-time Grand Slam champion trained with Roche last month in preparation for the 2005 season and is pleased with the progress he's seen in his game and the friendship he's forged with Roche.

"I asked him at the middle of last year if he wanted to work with me, but he couldn't do it, he had too many obligations," Federer said. "He was always following me, at times we spoke. Then we saw each other in Dubai. He knows as well what is right and wrong. I think that is one of the reasons in Dubai that he told me that he does want to do it (be the coach), but that I could come to Australia for preparation. He thought maybe 'What else can I teach this guy?' or 'I'm happy with my life right now, I don't need this.' I think he likes me very much as well and I like him. Maybe he thought about it during this time from Dubai until now in Sydney (and) he thought 'Maybe I can give Roger just a few weeks.' He's happy with that and I'm happy to work with him(and that) we found an agreement."

The 59-year-old Roche, who previously coached Ivan Lendl and Patrick Rafter to Grand Slam titles and the top spot in the world rankings, is one of the world's most highly-respected coaches. Shortly before his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Lendl praised Roche as a key component to his championship success in an interview with Tennis Week. Another left-handed Hall of Famer, John McEnroe, has called Roche's backhand volley "one of the best in the history of tennis."

Champions ranging from Guillermo Vilas to Patrick Rafter have sought out Roche's counsel. Clearly, Federer is confident Roche can help him refine his transition game and his volley. While the two-time Wimbledon winner can dominant a match from virtually any position on the court, he is sometimes prone to passive play from the baseline before suddenly seizing complete command of a point on the strength of his sledgehammer forehand. Hiring Roche is a sign Federer is actively seeking to avoid any complacency in his game by taking his skills to the front court and giving himself even more options on the court.

"It's a very professional decision and it just shows also how well I want to win this year," Federer said. "We've been working on a few things. I think it's important that he really teaches me also how to, maybe, volley well. I know I can volley — I haven’t won Wimbledon just out of the blue. I think him working with Pat (Rafter) and himself being so good at the net that he can teach me a few things there, and that should give me a few more options. It's more about that than totally changing my game because I can't do that at 23 anymore. And I'm quite happy with the situation right now being number one in the world, so there not too much I would change, I think that would be the wrong approach and we both agree on that."

Coaching Federer presents a unique challenge to any coach: the four-time Grand Slam champion is one of the most gifted players of the Open era with a work ethic and desire to excel that matches his prodigious talent, but any coach who takes the job will be judged against Federer's monumental 2004 season in which he posted a 74-6 record, captured 11 tournament titles without losing a final and swept three of the four majors with triumphs at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open — all while playing without a coach. Federer, who successfully defended his Tennis Masters Cup crown in November, did not lose a match to a top 10 opponent, scoring 23 consecutive victories over top 10 foes.

The allure of working with one of the most talented players in history — combined with the classic qualities of Federer's game — were enough to persuade Roche to accept the post.

"I think he can relate to the way I play. I've always said I that I have all of the generations a little bit on my side because I play that one handed backhand and that classic style," Federer said. "I think that they like to see that it still actually exists and that you can not only win, but almost dominate the game with that style still. It's not that far away from Lendl and Rafter. That whole thing probably makes it easier for him. If he would have to coach a guy who just plays baseline who's got totally different potential than me would have been difficult for him. I think the thing that's important is that we get along well off of the court. For me it was important to meet him first as a person, not just meeting him on the court professionally."

Throughout his rise to the top of the world rankings, Federer has surrounded himself with a trusted support team that includes his parents and his girlfriend, Mirka. Federer is a champion who plays his best tennis on feel and will approach his new partnership with Roche the same way.

"I'm a well prepared man, very organized thanks to lovely girlfriend (Mirka). I have to make sure that my life is fine," Federer said. "He'll know in time when I will need him. I can't tell you exactly when yet. The program might always vary; playing well, playing bad. Especially with the with Grand Slams, you know how it is, if you lose first round or lose the tournament it's a big difference. You always have to take best case and worst case scenarios. That's life."

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