Swiss maestro Roger Federer rolled the dice on a decision that changed his life. The former ATP no 1 parted ways with his former coach, who had been the pivotal person for his growth in professional tennis. Despite sharing a bond so precious, Federer decided to place his future in the hands of a Swedish coach, Peter Lundgren. The Swedish coach, who breathed his last today, helped Federer in ways that turned the risk into a reward for the Swiss maestro to cherish throughout his life.

Carter was Federer’s first coach and the person who carved the diamond from young Federer. Known to have a short temper, Carter was always a man of principle and one of the best Australian tennis players. He won the 1985 Melbourne Tennis Tournament before coaching the former Swiss legend. He was the one who always had a dominant faith in Federer’s skills when the former ATP no 1 didn’t believe in himself. However, destiny had other plans.

Federer won his first Grand Slam under the guidance of another coach, Peter Lundgren. After taking a role in the Swiss Tennis Federation, he started mentoring Federer from 2000 to 2003. However, Shifting from Carter to Lundgren wasn’t the Swiss former player’s wish, but his French fitness trainer and physiotherapist Paul Dorochenko, who advised him about the Swedish coach. “I said, ‘ Listen, I sincerely think you would travel much better with Lundgren than Carter,” he said. Dorochenko chose the Swedish coach because of Lundgren’s experience, and he believed his motivating, jovial, and pleasant attitude could influence Federer. However, the decision was a difficult one for the former Swiss player.

“It was fifty-fifty, I’ve known Peter Carter since I was eight years old. It was the toughest decision of my life, and it really came down to a gut feeling,” said Federer. While the Australian coach accepted his decision, he was also devastated. Dorochenko mentioned, “He never was quite the same, Peter Carter, after that. He really had a hard time processing the decision.”

On the other hand, Lundgren’s guidance worked wonders for Federer. He was the missing piece in Federer’s tennis life, which made Federer what he is now. “If you need my help, I’m here. I’m behind you. One hundred percent,” Lundgren said to Federer. The rest is history. Following the Swedish coach’s mentorship, the former ATP no 1 won his first Grand Slam in the 2003 Wimbledon.

Peter Lundgren revealed Federer’s unknown side. In an interview with Tenis Brasil, this Swedish coach said, “It is never easy to work with a tennis player, but at the time, Roger was a very talented young man, only lazy. He had some problems to concentrate besides that, he was not physically on point.” Known to be a pivotal man in Federer’s life, Lundgren passed away today after battling with diabetes.

While Federer separated from his childhood coach, he always missed him dearly. If you have read the Swiss former star’s biography by Christopher Clarey, you would know that Carter loved Federer and had a hard time getting over the separation. Federer, who also respected Carter a lot, later faced an unexpected incident involving Carter that scarred his life forever.

Roger Federer recalled Peter Carter a “really important person” 

Despite being so close, Federer’s luck couldn’t permit him to share his first Grand Slam glory with Carter. Reason? A highly unfortunate incident that came the way of the Australian coach. One year before Federer’s maiden Wimbledon victory, Carter passed away in a car crash while returning from his honeymoon.

In an interview with CNN, Federer said, “Peter was a really important person in my life. If I can say thank you for my technique today, it’s to Peter. Sorry. Oh, man, I still miss him so much. I hope he would be proud,” he said wiping his tears.

If Peter Carter was alive, he would have been incredibly proud of his prophecy about Federer. More than that, he would have been happy seeing his pupil making the impossible possible on the court. Federer’s relationship with Peter Carter was beyond any coach-pupil relationship. While Lundgren’s arrival was pathbreaking in Federer’s career, Carter remained like a jewel savant who brought this Swiss legend and his brilliance to the world.