Federer Splits with Coach Roche

After 2 ½ years, Roger Federer has parted with coach Tony Roche the Swiss No. 1 announced on his website today.

"I thank Tony very much for his efforts over these last years, during which I appreciated the 12-15 weeks per season we would work together,” Federer said in a statement on RogerFederer.com. “I am also grateful for the sacrifice he made, traveling so far from his home in Australia and leaving his family."

The 61-year-old Australian Roche joined Federer on a part-time basis at the end of 2004 tennis season. Roche, who has also coached Ivan Lendl and Patrick Rafter, claimed his lone Grand Slam at the 1966 French Open, the only Major Federer has yet to win.

Federer is mired in his worst stretch during his reign at No. 1, having failed to win his last four tournaments, reaching only the final in Monte Carlo. He is scheduled to next play in Hamburg which begins on Monday and then at the French Open in just over two weeks.