An Insight Into Roger Federer’s Illustrious Career: The Coaches Behind the Tennis Maestro

Roger Federer has been one of the greatest tennis players of all time. And although the world just sees him individually lifting titles and attaining victories, there is a lot of behind the scene work that happens. Federer also commands a great coaching team that has been efficient in managing his workload and strengths. Over the years, he has had many coaches who have played their part in his illustrious career.

Roger Federer’s most influential coach, Peter Carter

This coach has been the most influential coach in Federer’s career. The former Australian coach Peter Carter identified the talent in teenager Federer and molded him into what he is now. Federer was heartbroken when Peter Carter had a fatal car accident in 2002. Since then, Federer keeps remembering him and thanks him whenever he wins.

“Thanks to him I have my entire technique and coolness. He wasn’t my first coach, but he was my real coach. He knew me and my game and he always knew what was good for me,” Federer said.

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Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam under coach Peter Lundgren

Peter Carter’s untimely death prompted a new coach to join the Federer camp. Along with Carter, Federer had Peter Lundgren in his team. Lundgren had joined Federer in 2000 and took over the reins as head coach in 2003. Federer won his first Grand Slam in 2003 at Wimbledon, but at the end of 2003, Federer had split with Lundgren.

In the early half of Federer’s career, many coaches had short stints. Although these stints lasted a couple of years, they were highly successful. From 2005 to 2007, Tony Roche coached Federer. During their partnership, Federer won six Grand Slams and many other titles. Under Roche, Federer had the 2006 season, which is widely regarded as the most dominant season in tennis history.

Former coach of Pete Sampras Paul Annacone coached Roger Federer from 2010 to 2013

Before Edberg, Federer’s coach was Paul Annacone. Paul served as Federer’s coach from 2010 to 2013. In this period, Federer was highly successful, winning two consecutive ATP Finals titles in 2010 and 2011. He then won a seventh Wimbledon title and also reached the World No.1 ranking.

Roger Federer’s childhood idol Stefan Edberg coached him in 2014-2015

Federer has often said that Stefan Edberg was his childhood hero. In 2014, Edberg joined Federer’s coaching staff as the head coach. During the two-year stint together, Federer reached three Grand Slam finals. He lost all three, but he won 10 singles titles. Edberg and Federer decided not to continue their partnership after 2015.

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Roger Federer’s current head coach, Ivan Ljubicic

Federer and Ljubicic were old rivals when Ljubicic was playing. The Croatian is just two years older than Federer. Ljubicic and Federer have played against each other several times, with Federer leading the one sided head-2-head. But Ljubicic has been a huge savior as a coach for Federer.

Back in the troublesome year of 2016, Federer had injury troubles, and Ljubicic had joined him that year. Federer’s injuries aggravated so much that he had to miss the second half of the season. It was then regarded as the end of Federer’s tennis career.

But in 2017, Federer made a scintillating comeback and won the Australian Open. He added a Wimbledon title and another Australian Open to his kitty in 2018. In making all this possible, Ljubicic had a great role.

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Federer’s backhand was a weak spot. Players often targeted it and broke it in order to win against Federer. But Ljubicic had revamped that backhand; it was now more offensive and sharp. The backhand was reliable and allowed more tactical play. So in the latter part of his career, Federer had a resurgence because of Ljubicic’s guidance.

“Roger will be my last coaching job. My commitment to this project after Roger is absolute. But Roger and I go further. My work with him is unquestionable and there are no problems there,” Ljubicic said.

Severin Luthi: Federer’s long-term coach

Federer’s long-term coach has been Severin Luthi. Luthi has been with Federer since the early days of his career. Luthi has been closely associated with the Switzerland Davis Cup team. After Tony Roche left Federer’s coaching team in 2007, Luthi took over the reins and became a more prominent figure in Federer’s coaching team. Since then, Luthi has been Federer’s co-coach along with various other coaches.

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