Roche: Federer can improve
ByEurosport
Published 26/01/2006 at 22:38 GMT
Tony Roche, respected coach of world number one Roger Federer, tells Eurosport about the areas in which his player can improve. Talking to Eurosport consultant Mats Wilander, Roche seemed less than impressed with his man and had an impressively long list
"We've done a lot of work on his second serve," he said, referring to the man with one of the best deliveries in tennis. "He's getting a lot more work on that than he did two years ago."
Well, I suppose everyone can improve on their second serve, but Roger's has proven one of the best over the last few years.
Indeed, his coach must be a hard task-master, as he is apparently very difficult to please.
"His net game of course, I think that he can improve on that a little bit."
Now hang on a minute, this is the man with three consecutive Wimbledon titles under his belt, on the surface where serve and volley is very much the name of the game. This will be bad news for the rest of the tour, hoping to find a way to beat Federer at SW19, or anywhere else for that matter.
And his coach doesn't even stop there. Is this man ever happy?
"Hitting a heavier ball, keeping the intensity up during points," is another problem, apparently. But let's be honest, Roger's 'heavy' ball doesn't often come back.
Federer may have failed to live up to his own high standards in Melbourne so far, but has always found a way to win. One might expect him to play better in the latter stages, if an opponent can be found to make him raise his game.
Certainly, Eurosport's own Mats Wilander feels that it will still be very difficult for anyone to come between Federer and his seventh major title.
"Roger's not playing that well, but he's winning," he said. "He's not having much fun on the court but he's still coming up with the shots when he has too."
But perhaps Tony Roche puts it best.
"Champions always find a way to win."
Forum: Ask Mats Wilander
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