‘Loner’ Federer credits coach for re-igniting his flagging career
December 22nd, 2010 - 5:47 pm ICT by ANI
London, Dec 22 (ANI): Roger Federer has said that taking on a coach after years of going it alone on the world circuit has helped reignite his career.
After failing to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, Federer brought his year to a memorable climax by beating world No1 Rafael Nadal to win the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and the one million pound prize.
That was achieved with the help of Paul Annacone, who fine-tuned Federer’s game at a time when Nadal reigned supreme, The Daily Express reports.
“He was something new, something different. I actually don’t mind criticism or new input. But I didn’t feel I always needed a coach because it is important to listen to your internal feelings and not let yourself be guided the whole time in your life. Eventually you have to grow up and do it yourself,” said Federer.
“I got to world No1, which I thought was huge, all alone, without any kind of assistance. In the end I did it myself which makes me very proud,” he said.
“Now I am seeking a way back to the very top. I never wanted to jump from one coach to another and I never will. But now I have some assistance and input when I need it and that, I feel, will help me go for it again next year,” Federer said.
Federer also confessed to the hurt he felt at losing the Grand Slam titles that defined him as one of the greatest players of all time. (ANI)
- Djokovic ends seven year Federer-Nadal domination at the top - Jul 04, 2011
- Federer demolishes Nadal to go into ATP Finals last four - Nov 23, 2011
- Federer turns 29, motivated for 2010 second-half turnaround - Aug 09, 2010
- Federer climbs to third place in World rankings - Nov 28, 2011
- World Tour Finals: Nadal wins three-hour battle with Fish - Nov 21, 2011
- My game has matured: Berdych - Jan 03, 2011
- Love for tennis can take Federer beyond 20 Grand Slam titles: Annacone - Jan 13, 2011
- Federer wins his first Paris Masters 1000 title - Nov 14, 2011
- Djokovic beats Nadal to win maiden Wimbledon title (Lead) - Jul 04, 2011
- Federer claims fourth Indian Wells title - Mar 19, 2012
- Nadal beats Murray, to meet Djokovic in Wimbledon final (Lead) - Jul 02, 2011
- Djokovic overcomes Nadal to win US Open - Sep 13, 2011
- Djokovic reaches Wimbledon final, claims No.1 ranking - Jul 02, 2011
- Federer expects to regain top spot with another Grand Slam title - May 07, 2012
- Nadal overcomes Tsonga, faces Murray in semis - Mar 29, 2012
Tags: atp world tour, barclays, coach, french open, game, grand slam titles, internal feelings, london, memorable climax, mind criticism, one million, paul annacone, pound prize, rafael nadal, roger federer, whole time, wimbledon, world no1