Federer tries out new coach after tough start
Swiss star has suffered illnesses and upsets this season, heads into Estoril
 Armando Franca / AP World No. 1 Roger Federer talks with his new coach Jose Higueras during a training session for the Estoril Open on Monday. |
 | Slide show |
 | more photos |
 | Interactive |
 | The perfect player Which stars' skills would you include if you could construct the perfect tennis player? Tracy Austin shares her picks. NBCSports.com |
 | Video: Tennis from NBC Sports |
 Top match for chair umpire July 13: Officiating over his first Grand Slam men's singles final, chair umpire Lars Graf saw a magnificent match between Roddick and Federer at Wimbledon. |
| Slideshow |
 | Who's hot on Twitter? Check out which of your favorite athletes have the best pages and most followers! NBCSports.com |
 | Slideshow |
 | more photos |
| Slideshow |
 | Love matches Take a look at a number of the players who found love -- at least temporarily -- with fellow tennis competitors. NBC Sports |
GENEVA - Roger Federer says he will work with coach Jose Higueras at the Estoril Open in Portugal this week to see if the pair can "make a good team.''
"I am excited as I have asked Jose Higueras, one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the world of tennis, to join me,'' the top-ranked player said on his official Web site Monday. "We are going to spend the week together to see if we could make a good team.''
Federer begins the European clay-court season at Estoril having failed to reach a final in four tournaments this year.
Higueras is a clay specialist who coached a teenage Michael Chang to the 1989 French Open title.
The Spaniard reached two semifinals at Roland Garros as a player and has also coached Americans Jim Courier, Pete Sampras and Robby Ginepri.
Federer's agent Tony Godsick said the partnership with Higueras could be for the long-term.
"It is a test period but it is not just something for the clay-court season,'' Godsick told The Associated Press. "Roger is not looking to hire coaches just for specific surfaces. This is something he is testing out to replace the arrangement he had with Tony Roche.''
Federer has worked without a coach since splitting with Australian Roche last May. He is off to his worst start to a season since 2000, while suffering from a stomach virus and mononucleosis.
"I think Roger is back to 100 percent and now he has just got to make sure he builds himself with all the time he has missed. He has got to play himself into shape and that is what he is doing,'' Godsick said.
The 26-year-old Swiss faces 80th-ranked Olivier Rochus of Belgium in the Estoril first round Tuesday.
Federer is scheduled to play Masters Series events on clay at Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg, Germany, before attempting to win his first French Open title.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
LowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM TENNIS |
 Tennis Section Front |
| Add Tennis headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links