Happy Holidays From Tennis-X

Roche, along with John Newcomble and Mark Woodforde, had expressed interest to run Australia’s Fed Cup program and return their country to prominence in women’s tennis. But the trio pulled their names out of the running last week as talks with the troubled Tennis Australia broke down. With Fed Cup duties out of the picture, Roche would be afforded more time to spend coaching an individual player like Federer, though speculation is such a role would be in a more part-time capacity rather than full-time.

Federer has been without a coach since shockingly separating from Peter Lundgren in December 2003. Remarkably Federer’s play only improved since, as the 23-year-old put together one of the best years on the men’s circuit in recent memory, winning 11 titles including three Grand Slams, and posting a 74-6 record to finish No. 1 by a hefty margin.

Prior to Lundgren, Federer was coached Australian Peter Carter, who died tragically in a car crash in South Africa in 2002.

In addition to Roche, reports have Federer also expressing interest in another Australian, Darren Cahill, who was a close friend of Carter. Cahill in currently locked-in with Andre Agassi for the American's 2005 campaign.

Federer’s 2005 season will begin with the Kooyang Classic exhibition on Jan. 15 followed by the Australia Open which is set to begin on Jan. 17.

TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
Sebastien Grosjean has signed-up Brad Stine to be his new coach in 2005. Stine, a native of California, is best known for working with former No. 1 Jim Courier. He has also worked more recently with Mardy Fish and Taylor Dent. Grosjean had been with Thierry Tulasne until the pair split in September…Tim Henman capped his best year on court with wonderful news off court. He and wife Lucy gave birth to their second baby daughter, Olivia, on Wednesday. Their first daughter, Rosie, was born in October of 2002. Said Henman, "I am absolutely delighted. This year has been fantastic for a number of reasons and to top off what I achieved on court with the birth of our second child is a real blessing." Said Olivia, "Come on Tim!"…Jimmy Connors will be in the commentary booth for the BBC come Wimbledon time. Big question is will he share the booth with John McEnroe? Connors is also apparently in the process of signing a long-term contract to help emerging British juniors. So really, what’s up with Jimmy suddenly seeking the spotlight all of a sudden? ...Jim Courier has secured Andre Agassi for his “Mercedes-Benz Classic” charity tennis event set for March 21 in St. Petersburg, Florida. James Blake and Mardy Fish are also confirmed for the event which benefits the Raymond James Courier’s Kids Foundation...Jennifer Capriati pulled from her scheduled exhibition with Maria Sharapova with a bad shoulder. The Tampa exhibition will still go on Saturday with Angela Haynes subbing, with the proceeds going toward Florida hurricane victims…So now that Andy Roddick’s out of his life, what’s Brad Gilbert been up to? How about drinking and driving! That’s right, Gilbert and a host of other San Fran area celebs took part in the 8th Annual “Holiday Sobriety Challenge” held at the Infineon Raceway Friday in Sonoma, Calif. Not to fear, the event was a controlled wine- and beer-tasting experiment that illustrates the dangers of drinking and driving, even at levels well below the legal limit of .08 percent. Said Gilbert after posting a .077, "I learned I probably shouldn't be behind the wheel, that's for sure. It was an area where I thought I was OK at the level I was, but I really wasn't. I failed that test miserably." One has to wonder what number Brad would have posted a few hours after receiving the Andy break-up call last week.