Just days after announcing a new baby is on the way, Roger Federer just made it official that his tennis family is also growing by confirming that 6-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg has been hired to coach him starting in Melbourne.
Here’s what Federer just wrote in a facebook post: “I am happy to announce that beginning in Melbourne, Stefan Edberg will join Severin Lüthi on my coaching team. Severin, who has been part of my team for the last 7 years, will do most of the weeks and Stefan has agreed to work with us for at least 10 weeks starting at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Stefan was my childhood hero, and I am really looking forward to spending time and learning from him.”
The 47-year-old Edberg has no prior coaching experience. Federer and Edberg did train together earlier this month in Dubai and then afterward both parties were intrigued by the potential partnership.
“I’m really excited to be part of Roger’s team and I hope together we can bring out his best tennis,” Stefan Edberg commented.
Severin Lüthi added: “Roger will play a full schedule next year so we both wanted to make sure we had a solid team in place. I want to continue to improve and innovate Roger’s game and I really look forward to be working with Stefan. Like Roger, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Stefan and I am sure he will bring a lot to our team as Roger continues to chase titles in 2014.”
The hiring follows a recent spate of former greats get back into the coaching ranks. Boris Becker (Novak Djokovic), Michael Chang (Kei Nishikori), Sergi Bruguera (Richard Gasquet) and Ivan Lendl (Andy Murray) have all done the same.
After a busy off season – new baby, new coach and new agency – Federer will open his 2014 next week in Brisbane, then will be joined by Edberg for the Australian Open.
Welcome to “FedBerg”.
You Might Like:
Stefan Edberg Says He’d Be More Than Happy To Coach Roger Federer
Roger Federer Was Training With Stefan Edberg Last Week In Dubai!
Roger Federer And Stefan Edberg Have Split
Stefan Edberg: Roger Federer Can Still Win Wimbledon [Video]
Marin Cilic Has Hired Jonas Bjorkman As His New Coach