Roger Federer has hired his childhood hero, Stefan Edberg, to help coach him for at least 10 weeks starting at the Australian Open. The 17-time Grand Slam champion worked with the Swede for a week in Dubai earlier this month.
“I am happy to announce that beginning in Melbourne, Stefan Edberg will join Severin Lüthi on my coaching team,” Federer said on Facebook. “Severin, who has been part of my team for the last 7 years, will do most of the weeks and Stefan has agreed to work with us. Stefan was my childhood hero, and I am really looking forward to spending time and learning from him.”
The Swiss newspaper Basler Zeitung quoted former No. 1 Edberg as saying, “I am thrilled to be a part of Roger's team and I hope that together we can bring out his best tennis.”
The newspaper also quoted Federer as saying he will use a larger 98-square inch Wilson racquet during the Australian swing. Federer begins play this coming week in Brisbane.
“The racket is extremely important,” said Federer, who experimented with a new frame last summer before going back to his smaller frame at the U.S. Open, and for the rest of the 2013 season. “But now I have the feeling that this is the right time for a change. I've played through two and a half weeks with the new model and am confident. The racket suits me very well.”