Roger The Coach? ‘Possible, But…’
Roger Federer might not be experiencing his final years on the ATP Tour. The 37-year-old will, in theory, finish his playing career sometime in the near future.
But Federer, after reaching the Miami quarter-finals for the 11th time on Wednesday, didn't rule out a return to the ATP Tour in a different capacity after he finishes winning titles.
Asked if he'd come back as a coach or in another role, Federer said, “Possible but doubtful, just because I have four children and I'm happy to be home after traveling for 20 years or more, 25 years. I just don't see myself doing it for 20 weeks of the year coaching. I just don't see that happening.”
But then the Swiss left the door open, just a smidge. “Then again, I think Edberg also didn't think he was going to coach again. And I don't have to do it right away, either. So I can maybe mentor more or have players come around.
“Who knows? I would love to stay involved in the game but probably not 30 weeks on the road. Let's be honest,” Federer said.
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The 27-time ATP Masters 1000 titlist benefitted from Edberg's return as the Swede coached Federer in 2014-15, a stretch that saw the Swiss win 11 titles, including three Masters 1000 crowns – 2014 Rolex Shanghai Masters and two at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
“After two very successful years, I would like to thank Stefan Edberg, my childhood idol, for agreeing to join my team. It was a dream come true. Although it was supposed to only be for 2014, Stefan was great and agreed to extend the partnership through this year, which I really appreciated,” Federer wrote at the time.
“He taught me so much and his influence on my game will remain. He will always be a part of my team.”
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Edberg helped Federer hone his approach game and his skills around the net, and Federer, who will turn 38 in August, continues to evolve his game. The three-time Miami champion twice successfully baited 23-year-old Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday with fake drop shots that turned into deep forehand slice approaches.
“The chip approach on the forehand side was more about sort of trying to fake a drop shot and then not doing it, seeing how he was going to react to it, if he was going to sort of bite, like fishing or not. And it worked both times. But it's not a play you can use all the time, because I never practise it, to be honest... It's not the most solid play out there,” Federer said.
“Against certain players, slices work better than others. And today I know that if I do slice, I have to run a lot, I have to work a lot, which is fine at times. At the end of the day I have to come over and have to try and make the plays, too.”