Rob McLean - Murray and Federer search for inspiration
It must be catching. No sooner has Roger Federer announced that he is appointing Paul Annacone as his new coach (albeit on trial), Andy Murray is on the look out for a new coach after dumping Miles Maclagan.
Although everyone has made the right noises and said they are parting on amicable terms, Murray appears to have bowed to media pressure that in recent weeks was telling him he needed to streamline his team and perhaps make a change to take that next step forward.
In his professional career he has now gone through three coaches with Maclagan following Mark Petchey and Brad Gilbert out of the door.What is actually the next step forward?
It might just be that Murray should stop metaphorically chopping off heads everytime he fails to win a Grand Slam and take responsibility. After all it was he who missed the simple forehand on set point in the Australian Open final and a set point against Nadal at Wimbledon after the Spaniard had double-faulted.
Australian Darren Cahill's name is in the frame and he came close to linking up with Roger Federer last year.
You can certainly put your mortgage on a certain John McEnroe holding forth very soon on what Murray should and shouldn't do. Mac, don't give up your various day jobs. The last time he was in charge of any player/players it was the American Davis Cup team and he bolted at the first sign of discontent in 2000.
There is sometimes hope with change. In 1997 Gilbert introduced a new training regime for an apparently all-washed up Andre Agassi. The 1992 Wimbledon champion was ranked 141 in the world and seemingly heading for the scrapheap, but Gilbert, one of the best tennis brains around, slowly revitalised his career.
Agassi took it one step at a time, punishing fitness schedules up hills in his native Las Vegas and competing in lowly Challenger events. It all paid off and he eventually became world No1 again while living happily ever after with Steffi Graf.
RogerFederer's situation, and Murray's, is not as calamitous as Agassi's was back then, but the Swiss is without a doubt also in need of a huge lift, some fresh ideas and focus. So that is why he has called on the experience of Annacone to help him out as he prepares for the hard-court swing.
Contrary to his gentle public image, Federer is a stubborn character and can be very moody and prone to the odd spot of arrogance. His ungracious and sarcastic reaction to his defeat at Wimbledon was a case in point.
For the 16-time Grand Slam champion to admit at this stage in his career that he might need help was a big deal. He has had coaches before, notably the Australian Tony Roche, but his overall situation with regards to getting advice has been sporadic and sometimes non-existent. Then again, he hasn't done too badly without it.
Annacone, who is coming to the end of his contract with the Lawn Tennis Association, will get respect from the Swiss, having coached Pete Sampras for many years and also Tim Henman, both of whom are Federer's friends.
The world No3 hits the 'big 29' on August 8, which in tennis terms is normally the beginning of the end. Federer has won only two titles in the last 12 months.
He is running out of time.
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Date published :
28 Jul 2010 - 11:09:24
