Federer re-commits to Roche

I need Roche: Federer

By Paul Malone in New York
September 13, 2005

TENNIS superman Roger Federer has appealed to Australian coach Tony Roche to work with him again for at least a dozen weeks next year.

Roche watched on television in Sydney yesterday as Federer tore down ageing Andre Agassi 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 and he kept in touch with a few text messages and phone calls with Federer, who won three grand slam titles last year without a coach.

Federer's win came on a day Australian Samantha Stosur won her second grand slam doubles title to become the nation's only two-time major winner in 2005.

Stosur, who had broken through for the Australian Open mixed doubles title with her fellow Queenslander Scott Draper in January, held serve to clinch a 6-2 5-7 6-3 win for with new doubles partner, American Lisa Raymond, over Russian Elena Dementieva and Italian Flavia Pennetta.

Federer revealed he was not sure if Roche wanted to maintain an arrangement where he has travelled on a restricted schedule with the world No.1 since late last year.

"Next year, I guess we work leading up to the Aussie Open, but after that nothing is certain, you know," Federer said.

Federer's sixth grand slam win was his second since he began working on a consultancy basis with Roche, who will meet up with him at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai in November, and the Swiss star said he does not intend working with a different coach.

"I hope it will pretty much be the same sort of schedule we had this year," he said.

"Schedules can always change, but I think that's what I'm looking at.

"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself to say he [Roche] will also do the French Open and Wimbledon.

"I hope it's a long term decision he made, but if he changes his mind, I understand."

Federer revealed in his French language press conference that he had thought he was going to lose under Agassi's groundstroke artillery when the match was tied at a set apiece and the American veteran took a 4-2, 30-0 lead on serve.

"I thought I was going to lose, but then I got my game back and then suddenly victory swam back into sight," Federer said.

Agassi's conditioner Gil Reyes said he hoped Agassi's sixth US Open final convinced him to play next year, starting with the Australian Open.

sm.au

Do you suppose it would help if we all wrote encouraging, not to say begging of course, letters to Tony to help lobby on Rog's behalf? Tony might enjoy getting flooded w/letters of appreciation, no?? Where would we send them?

I was mightily impressed with Roger coming out publicly saying how much he still wants to work with Rochey in 2006 without knowing whether Rochey wants to or not. That struck me as a brave and humble thing to do. I suspect Rochey will be very flattered by that (who wouldn't be?). They clearly have an affection for one another - and like you Tenhound, I really hope they continue to work together.

thanks

thanks

(If anyone thinks this should be posted on articles thread, feel free to repost. Since it wasn't about Roger, I'm posting here; however, I don't know how many people read this thread...and we need to get on the stick about this.)

RED ALERT:

HYDERABAD: : If everything goes according to plan, the legendary Tony Roche, now coach of Roger Federer, may well guide the destiny of tennis sensation Sania Mirza for the next one year.

According to a tentative schedule, the famous Australian may train Sania in Sydney for about three weeks before the first Grand Slam of 2006 — the Australian Open. Sania's think tank believes that John Farrington, currently her travelling coach, is doing an adequate job and will continue to be part of the preparations at least till the Australian event.

However, since Sania now feels that she has a realistic chance to inch closer to the top 10, this move seemed inevitable.

Roche is being sounded for the undoubtedly expensive assignment (it is roughly estimated that it would cost about $10,000 per week) is to mainly improve upon Sania's serves. The decision to hire Roche was taken after the think tank analysed Sania's game immediately after the US Open through extensive study of video footage and came to the conclusion that her serve is the weakest link in her game.
(from hindu.com)

Screw her. This is hideous. Anyone know how we can write to Tony?

First, we don't even know if this is true. And second, Roger doesn't really need a coach throught the year. Look at this year, he was able to win most of his tournaments without Roche being there. Even the bigger ones....IW, Miami, Cincy, US Open.

First, we don't even know if this is true. And second, Roger doesn't really need a coach throught the year. Look at this year, he was able to win most of his tournaments without Roche being there. Even the bigger ones....IW, Miami, Cincy, US Open.
:eek: Looks like Roche doesn't like to go to USA... :p
Well, that's true. and Mirza isn't ATP player :p Sounds no problem. :devil:

I read the article at Bob Larsen's site and it is true they have a deal for the 3 weeks before AO, or during?, and I came here to say Roger will be sharing Roche. Mainly hired for Sania's serve. I am sure he won't be giving her more time than Roger. Definitely didn't sound like anything beyond AO prep was for sure.

Roger's deal last yr. was that Tony would help him before Majors. Last I heard AO is a Major, but US Masters are not. I'm extremely concerned 'cuz now we're hearing of Tony making a commitment to someone else, but no info. on new arrangement w/Roger. Tony didn't come to NYC 'cuz he had another commitment to Aussie tennis - but he stayed w/him the whole time in Europe, from Hamburg on, which Roger hadn't expected.

Anyone else surprised that Tony only asks $10k/wk., given what Top Players earn. I assumed coaches to all top players picked up ~$1M/yr. + perhaps share of tournment winnings/bonuses for Majors won. But Tony is the God of coaches, so I would have the thought the sky would be the limit. $25k/wk would only come out to ~$1.2M/yr for 52 wks - Christ, I'd think Tony is worth at least that - w/private plane thrown in 'cuz it's so painful for him to travel. After all, Roger is only asking him to help him take that last little step to tennis immortality from being a mere genius!! :)

(Maybe Tony's getting bored - Christ, not another Wimbledon Victory Party again next year!! Pretty soon Roger might try to drag me to a Paris Victory Party too...Yawn...and NYC...and Shanghai...this is getting ridiculous...maybe it's time to look for a new job... :) )

You can find an article online saying Tony and Roger will meet in Shangau and then weeks before the AO 2006.

thanks

I was mightily impressed with Roger coming out publicly saying how much he still wants to work with Rochey in 2006 without knowing whether Rochey wants to or not. That struck me as a brave and humble thing to do. I suspect Rochey will be very flattered by that (who wouldn't be?). They clearly have an affection for one another - and like you Tenhound, I really hope they continue to work together.

I thought that too.

I also think it'd be good if they still work together next year. There are some things that can be improved on Roger's game, especially on clay and grass (yes, on grass) and I feel that Roche and his experience may be able to bring just as needed to Rogi.

I'm not concerned about Roche taking Mirza as a pupil. If all, it shows he's commited to coach players next year and since he isn't the type of following players around, he'll be quite available for both of them.

Rochus is OK~~