Fed Express to go it alone

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 15 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Roger Federer is not looking to replace former coach Tony Roche before Wimbledon as he does not want anyone "interfering" with his preparation.

The world number one sensationally split from the veteran tactician at the weekend after two years working on a part-time basis with the Australian, and is currently preparing for the Hamburg Masters.

The Swiss ace has suffered a slight dip in form in recent weeks, losing twice to Guillermo Canas, once to Rafael Nadal as well as a shock defeat to Filippo Volandri in the Rome Masters.

The French Open, which begins at the end of the month, is the one Grand Slam to elude the 25-year-old to date and his recent results on clay may have contributed to his decision to part company with Roche.

Federer has won 10 'Slams in his illustrious career and believes he has enough experience of the big time to go it alone this summer.

"I'm not taking a coach because I know what it takes to win. I don't want anyone interfering," he said. "Maybe down the road I'll look for someone to help me out for practice."

And the four-time Wimbledon champion admitted he had not taken the decision lightly, although he believes the relationship had run its course.

"It wasn't an easy decision," he added. "He's helped me a lot but in the end he was a part-time coach.

"We were together only 15 weeks a year and I just thought the communication wasn't going very far any more."

Federer is, not surprisingly, a short-price 1.1 favourite to beat Juan Monaco in his second-round match at the Hamburg Masters, with the Argentinian youngster trading at 10.