Federer set to defend Australian title
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-17 14:34

Tony Roche knew that by becoming Roger Federer's coach he would have to spend time in places he didn't want to be — on long flights and in the media spotlight. But he took the job, and Federer is glad he did.

Top-seed Roger Federer from Switzerland takes a break during a practice session for the Australian Open in Melbourne January 16, 2005. [AP]

Federer, who won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open last year, hooked up with Roche for two weeks in late December. This was after Federer went a year without a coach.

"I was hoping that he would find time for me," Federer said on the eve of the Australian Open. "In the beginning, he didn't, which I was disappointed. And then he changed his mind, so I was very happy."

Roche, 59, coached former top-ranked players Ivan Lendl and Pat Rafter. A former Davis Cup player for Australia, Roche won the French Open, reached the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals and won five Wimbledon doubles titles with John Newcombe.

Roche has turned down offers to coach other players because of his reluctance to travel. In Federer's case, he made an exception.

"It was more he just didn't want to travel much," Federer said. "In the beginning he felt maybe a little bit too much the pressure, I'm being No. 1, there was the media. I think he was just not sure if he should go through all that again."

Roche will do some limited travel with Federer. He was courtside Sunday at Melbourne Park and the two exchanged comments during Federer's practice.

Federer is coming off the best season by any man in 16 years. Trying to improve on that will be a tough assignment for Roche.

"I think the experts, and me and Tony, we all know it's not his mistake if my ranking drops," Federer said. "Eventually it will drop. I can't stay No. 1 for 50 years."

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