Roger Federer goes coach-less once more

AP Photo

AP Photo

Swiss world number two Roger Federer will be competing in this week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California without a full-time coach –– again.

Federer, a three-time champion of this event (2004-06), said that both he and Australian coach Darren Cahill have decided that things are not going to work out due to several reasons.

It can be remembered that the last match Federer played was the emotion-filled loss at this year’s Australian Open final against world number one Spaniard Rafael Nadal. The Swiss player decided to skip the Dubai tourney and Davis Cup first round tie against the United States to rehabilitate his back injury.

Rumors then started to spread that he’s considering hiring former Australia Davis Cup coach Darren Cahill to be his full-time coach. Cahill is known to have coached former world number one players such as Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi.

“After I decided not to play those two events I thought it would be a good time for a test. He came over to Dubai and we worked a bit and we decided we’re not going to do it, so we’re moving on,” the 13-time Grand Slam champion said.

“It was a test. We said let’s see how it goes first and go back and think about it. He thought it was tough for him to do the traveling with his kids and everything. It never really got to the point where I had to think too far and make a decision on my own. I never really had to go there. He took the decision for me,” he added.

The 27-year old is the second seed in this year’s tournament while Nadal is the top seed. This means that the duo could meet at the final round once more. However, they will have to overcome the rest of the field which includes defending champion Novak Djokovic (3rd seed) and Andy Murray (4th).

Despite his rival’s lead in their head-to-head matches (13-6), Federer said that he’s more motivated than ever to try once again to play against “the greatest challenge” he’s ever had.

“I’ve got the motivation. I don’t know how much better he can play or how much better I can play, but I’m right there and he’s playing the tennis of his life,” he said.

For more live updates of the ongoing BNP Paribas Open, visit the Tennis TV site HERE.