Federer's quest

Roger Federer is leaving nothing to chance in his bid to win the French Open. Federer's victory over Marcos Baghdatis in Sunday's Australian Open final gave the Swiss master his seventh grand slam singles title and put him on course for a shot at the "Rog

Federer won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year and his victory at Melbourne Park leaves him needing just the French Open title to become the first man since Australia's Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four titles simultaneously.

The world number one intends to fly his Australian coach Tony Roche to Europe to fine-tune his game on clay ahead of the French Open.

Roche rarely travels with his star pupil outside of grand slams but is considering going to Europe earlier than normal to help Federer get the one major title that has eluded him.

Australian Open

Hawk-Eye set for Australian Open

03/10/2006 at 08:02

"Tony came to Hamburg last year, which I thought was pretty early," Federer said at a news conference.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Davydenko N.

Image credit: dpa

"He might come a week early, maybe to Rome. We'll see about that. "He's definitely coming for that trip again. I'm very happy about that."

Federer has won seven of the last 11 grand slam events he's entered but the French Open has always eluded him.

EXTRA WORK

The 24 year old reached the semi-finals last year, losing to eventual champion Rafael Nadal, and hopes the extra work he's doing with Roche, who won at Roland Garros in 1966, will make the difference.

"I think the more time I spend with him, the more information I get about playing on clay.

"Just being together and working together, it's very interesting."

Federer said he wouldn't change a great deal for the French Open as he believed he played the right way in 2005.

"Maybe I didn't play as great as I was hoping to in the semi-final.

"But I still gave myself a chance. Rafael totally deserved to win the French. Best player by far on clay last season.

"I hope he'll be back by then and I get a chance to play him again."

While Federer was preparing to fly out of Melbourne on Monday with another Australian trophy tucked under his arm and the tennis world at his feet, Baghdatis agreed to stay on another day to thank the Greek community that had supported him.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Baghdatis M. final Rod Laver

Image credit: Reuters

The 20-year-old Cypriot developed a cult-following during the tournament, defying the odds to beat top-10 players Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and David Nalbandian to qualify for his first grand slam final.

He can also expect a tremendous welcome when he gets back to Cyprus this week.

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