Roger Federer has split from coach Tony Roche just two weeks before the world number one tennis player makes another attempt to win the only Grand Slam title eluding him, the French Open.
”I thank Tony very much for his efforts over these last years, during which I appreciated the 12 tp 15 weeks per season we would work together,” Federer said on his website late on Saturday.
”I am also grateful for the sacrifice he made, travelling so far from his home in Australia and leaving his family.”
The announcement to end the partnership after more than two years comes during Federer’s worst slump in years.
On Thursday, he lost his fourth match of the season in the Rome third round against Italy’s Filippo Volandri. Federer has failed to win the last four tournaments, which hasn’t happened since he became number one in 2004.
The Swiss star is due to play at the Hamburg Masters Series from Monday onwards, a tournament he won in 2002, 2004 and 2005. He did not play at the event last year.
The French Open starts on May 27. – Sapa-DPA