Annacone confident of more Federer success
7/19/11 3:48 PM | Johan Lindahl
Coach Paul Annacone remains confident of continued success for his elite client Roger Federer as the Swiss strives to end a Grand Slam trophy drought stretching back more than a year and a half.
No. 3 Federer will return to the ATP from early August at the Montreal Masters and will be defending his title the next week in Cincinnati to mark his preparation for the August 29 start of the US Open.
Annacone, who coached Pete Sampras, says the Swiss will be back a winner. "In today's men's game it's very difficult to compete," he told told local media in upstate New York. "You see Novak Djokovic having such a great year and Rafa's always Rafa, so that makes it difficult.
"But Roger got to the semis in the Australian Open, the finals of the French Open, and quarter-finals of Wimbledon: he's right there. I don't see any reason why he's not going to be really geared up and ready to play in New York."
Federer, who turns 30 next month, won five straight titles at Flushing Meadows 2004-2008 but lost the 2009 final to Juan Del Potro in a fifth set and went out in the semis a year ago to current NO. 1 Novak Djokovic.
He is currently on summer break after winning a post-Wimbledon Davis Cup rubber which put Switzerland into a World Group playoff spot in the autumn.
It's been six majors since Federer last won a major, one of his longest runs without big success. Annacone says it's now mainly about mental strength for the rock-solid Swiss.
"When you're fortunate enough to be with someone like Roger, most of it is just game management, understanding what he wants to do and how he's going to do it. A lot of it is your mental disposition and also the strategic way you're approaching the match on the day."
Thanks for Johan Lindahl post.
ReplyDeleteTo read complete conversation with Annacone: http://sagharboronline.com/sagharborexpress/a-conversation-with/conversation-with-paul-annacone-13384
a week off could help Roger. i feel he is returning too early.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad PA spoke out & addressed this issue. There is too much nonsense out there & whilst it would be foolish to seek to address everything, after Roger's performance thus far this year, it is useful for his coach to comment.
ReplyDeleteHis comment that a lot of it is "mental disposition" is interesting.