U.S. Open News: Roger Federer hires Paul Annacone as coach
Pete Sampras’ former coach, Paul Annacone has been hired by Roger Federer to work with him at the U.S. Open 2010.
The hiring of Paul Annacone was announced by Roger Federer on his official website last Saturday, and then discussed it during the U.S. Open’s news conference as well. Paul Annacone joined him a month ago to see whether the pairing would make any sense or not.
"We've moved it from a test trial to integrating him into the team now," Federer said, "so that's going ahead."
When asked on Saturday what Annacone brings, Federer said, "Well, his experience, I guess. I mean, you know, he's a very nice guy and he's very calm and speaks as experience from a player and as a coach, as well."
Federer has worked with many coaches since he started playing tennis. He started working with Peter Lundgren, Darren Cahill, Jose Higueras and Tony Roche. Sometimes he used part-time coaches as well and captain Severin Luthi has traveled with Federer for the Swiss Davis Cup as well.
Paul Annacone was a formal touring professional tennis player. His career best singles ranking in 1985 stood at the world no. 12 and U.S. no. 6. He has won three singles titles during his career and was a Wimbledon quarter-finalist as well in 1984. Annacone has made his name as a casual tennis star rather than having coaching Pete Sampras. Sampras was his former boss, they both worked together on a full-time basis from 1995 to 2001 and again on a part-time basis in July 2002. He was also the Lawn Tennis Association’s head coach in 2006.
"We speak occasionally about Pete and about how he was with him or about his experiences and stuff," Federer said. "I know so much about Pete already that I never try to copy him. I never try to be like him, but I tried to learn from him as a junior because he was my hero growing up. So definitely when I do hear stories from Paul about Pete it can be inspiring.”
Federer, who was the number one tennis player, was overtaken by Rafael Nadal after the French Open 2010. Consequently, Federer could not match Sampras’ record of holding the top rank for a total of 286 weeks.
Experts believe that one reason to hire Annacone as a coach is that Federer wants to regain his no. 1 position in a bid to break the record set by Sampras. If Roger Federer makes it to the final of U.S. Open and wins the tournament as well, he will be honored with the top slot once again.
Annacone is also the former coach of tennis superstar Tim Henman. Federer said on his website that Annacone will work with a Swiss star so that more and more of his responsibilities with LTA wind down.
Roger Federer has already won five consecutive titles at hard court tournaments till he lost at the 2009 final. His record of reaching the semi-finals of 23 consecutive Grand Slams tournaments ended with a loss in the French Open quarter-finals this year along with losing at Wimbledon as well.
The Swiss star is about to start his U.S. Open where he wants to make a comeback. Experts are saying that Roger Federer is going to be a tough competition for all the players as he is working really hard. According to Jimmy Connors, he is an all-court specialist, who can easily play on grass courts, clay courts and on grass courts as well.
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