Stefan Edberg: "Roger Federer started again from scratch"
Stefan Edberg spoke in an interview about working with Roger Federer. The Swede admitted that he had only entered the coaching business for the 20-time Grand Slam winner and allowed precise insights into working with the former number one.
by Lukas Zahrer
last edit: Feb 19, 2019, 04:04 pm
"I would never have thought it possible to get into the coaching business at all," said Edberg in an interview with Socrates . “It was Roger Federer who gave me this great opportunity. I don't think I would have done it for another player. "
In December 2013, Federer surprised the tennis world by installing Edberg as a "super coach" in his team of coaches around Severin Lüthi. He emulated Andy Murray, for example, who previously consulted Ivan Lendl. Some other top players followed: Kei Nishikori still relies on the expertise of Michael Chang, Goran Ivanisevic supports Milos Raonic and worked with Marin Cilic.
Edberg: "Federer wouldn't have a chance today"
Edberg himself is happy about "two wonderful years" with Federer, in which he worked through "all the points" that he set himself the goal of with the Swiss at the start of the cooperation. “He had the courage to make radical decisions. Somehow it started again from scratch, ”said Edberg, whose characteristic service movement served as inspiration for the old Australian Open logo.
Specifically, the 53-year-old named Federers club change as the "most important change". With a larger club surface, Federer won three more Grand Slam titles after a losing streak of five years: Wimbledon 2017 and the Australian Open 2017 and 2018. "With the old model, he wouldn't have a chance today to keep up with the best" Edberg sure. “Step by step, the fun of tennis came back. After a few weeks, he played more freely and with a great deal of self-confidence. "
Even before Edberg's engagement, Federer had a clear idea of how his tennis should develop. "He wanted to be more offensive again, be more unpredictable and get on the grid more often," said Edberg, because Federer knew that Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray were increasingly difficult to overcome from the baseline.
Stefan Edberg: Federer's only problem? Novak Djokovic
“In tennis it is like this: the older you get, the greater the need to control the match. What is so fascinating about Roger: He always wants to improve, he never slacks off, he always motivates himself anew. That is the main reason why it is still competitive today. It's simply unbelievable that he will still be at the top after 20 years, ”Edberg was impressed.
However, a single player was responsible for Federer celebrating further great triumphs. “His only problem was Novak Djokovic, who had an incredible high at the time. Without him, Roger would have won two or three more Grand Slam titles, ”said Edberg.
Between summer 2015 and summer 2016 the Serb won all four major titles, only Rod Laver and Don Budge had previously managed to hold all four trophies at the same time in the history of men's tennis.