IT’S TRUE! Roger Federer’s agent Tony Godsick confirmed via Blick today that Roger Federer is currently training with Darren Cahill in Dubai. Holy rollers, my friends – the speculation is OVER! I repeat, Roger Federer is DEFINITELY with Darren Cahill, at least on a trial basis. Here’s the scoop – pardon the translation as always (and DiGG it if you like it!):
The speculation is over in Dubai: Federer is working with Cahill. The Swiss, who is taking a timeout in order to spare his back, is testing his new coach in the desert.
Federer’s IMG Manager Tony Godsick confirmed: “Yes, the two have met in Dubai and played a few balls together.” More specifically: “It is a test for both. One can not yet say whether it will be something long term. They work together now and see how it works out. “
The American manager is also denying the widespread opinion that Cahill was not Federer’s first choice: “The two have long had a great respect for each other. It was occasionally discussed. It’s a trial. Now that Roger’s had a break, anyway, because of his back, the timing was perfect for a test. So Roger’s with him and has reported that he’s arrived.“
This also means that Federer’s current companion Severin Lüthi no longer matters in the future? “No! As I said, with Darren it’s on a trial basis. And if it works, we will continue with Severin on the team. There is no question about it. “
The 43-year-old Cahill has an excellent reputation on the tour.
Under his aegis Lleyton Hewitt was the youngest player to end a year as number 1 (20 years and 8 months). And during his time with Andre Agassi, the American won the top position – at 33 years old he was the oldest player in history to do so. Cahill and fitness guru Gill Reyes last worked with Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and brought him to form. The result was obvious. Verdasco got to the Australian Open semis and played breathtaking tennis.
Cahill would be the third Australian coach for Federer. The first, Peter Carter, who tragically died in a car accident in 2002, led Federer from his youth to years at the top. And with Tony Roche, the Swiss had a very successful period, winning six out of 13 majors now.
And here are Tony Godsick’s updates on Roger’s back injury that’s supposedly keeping him out of Davis Cup this weekend, and his preparations for the upcoming Indian Wells Masters tournament, via Tages Anzeiger (translated):
Federer underlined that his retirements from Dubai and the Davis Cup in Birmingham vs. the USA have nothing to do with the test-training with Cahill. “No one should question Roger’s honesty about his back. He made a selfish and unpopular decision, but it was the only possibility for his health and his back. He noticed that his back had a problem again and wanted to eliminate this before it could become a real handicap,” said Godsick.
Federer has trained hard for his back injury over the past 2 weeks with Pierre Paganini and is now totally in shape to play without any problems. He will come to California at the beginning of next week to play Indian Wells and Miami. It’s not certain, yet, if Cahill will be at his side, said Godsick. The possibility to work together came up in the last few weeks, and because of his will to always get better, Roger did not want to let this chance pass him by. “The test is important for both of them. Although they know and respect each other, it could be that their personalities do not match,” said Godsick.
I’m a little stunned – I can’t believe that it’s true! What say you, Fed fans!
Photo via: Blick
Updated as of 3/4/09 5:55 EST
Tags: Cahill, coaching, Federer, Fedophile, tennis
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I KNEW IT!!! Why does this not surprise me, but get me soo excited at the same time.
I think it can’t be anything but good news for Fed Fans.
I’m PSYCHED! Not only does Federer get Darren Cahill’s expertise, he also may get some casual input from Reyes and Agassi thrown in, too. And even if it’s on a peripheral allthese guys know the following:
1. all about what it takes to be at the top
2. how to get over the pressure of being a “legend”
3. how to get over mental hurdles (see what they did with the oft-flaky Verdasco Down Under) and how to play a dominating champion – (Pete Sampras was Agassi’s Nadal, in a way.)
4. how to train physically, in general
5. and how to handle bad backs.
This is a Fedophile’s wet dream, for sure!
So great! LOVE. This will work out splendidly, dontcha think?
These two seem to have such similiar temperaments…its almost an ideal match, IMO.
I really hope results follow. Really would love to see Roger make progress against Nadal. Its not really a rivalry anymore, because Nadal keeps beating him. Would love to see it tip back on Roger’s side again to make it a true rivalry again.
Hi RiCH! But as a Rafa fan, aren’t you just a little bit freaked out?
I’m not just a Rafanatic, I’m a tennis addict!
Of course! Tennis first! Rafa (or Roger) second! (But what would we do without those guys? I’d be so sad!)
oh Gee !!! I’m so happy for Fed!!
The timing is so perfect for this to happen; Federer won’t be as stubborn as he was in the past because of his losses in ‘08 and in the beginning of ‘09 and Cahill isn’t somebody who could be discredited. Also, all this story about Cahill speculating 13 years old Federer and Peter Carter’s death in 2002 and these news now, man it comes out from a movie’s script.
That’s the only thing I could read to believe that Federer has any real chance against Nadal. Go Fed be the G.o.a.T. !!!!!!!
Hey nosuic! yeah, I’m happy about it too – can you tell???
Speaking of movie scripts – Roger said somewhere recently that he’d want Brad Pitt to play him in a movie. Which makes no sense, since Brad Pitt is at least 15 years older than him and looks nothing like him!
I actually can’t think of anyone who could play Roger. . .
looks-wise, there is a guy on SNL cast that looks like Federer. I doubt if this guy can act in a serious role or even can play tennis though.
Really! I’ll have to check out the SNL website. Maybe it can be a biopic/comedy type thing. The tennis would be a problem – I’m thinking it will have to be CG, or Roger can just do that part.
we’ll have to look into that frites! another Federer doppleganger?
http://www.gototennisblog.com/2009/01/22/roger-federers-doppleganger/
Yeah, maybe Delic can go into acting if the tennis thing doesn’t work out!
Hey everyone! I think more so than anything, it’s good for Federer to have someone in his box that could do some scouting and offer a bit of game-planning. I think Cahill will be great for helping him hold off Murray and Djokovic. I just wonder what difference it will make against Nadal.
It took Federer a little while to figure out Hewitt and Agassi, but once he did he never looked back. It’s still kind of shocking to me that that hasn’t been the case with Nadal yet, which must be a testament to what Fed is facing when he goes against him. Maybe Cahill will help him eke out a couple of more wins.
Hey Van! I think you’re right about Darren helping with the day to day type stuff. Roger’s obviously feeling the pressure (thus the release of so many tears after the AO final!) and he needs a paid professional to held carry the burden a little bit. I think Darren is expert at that stuff.
And the word “eke” describes the situtation completely. Roger’s thinking to himself that he only needs to get lucky two or three more times to be considered the GOAT (at least by history book standards – us tennis snobs will debate it forever – especially if he never beats Rafa in a Major again) which means he can’t leave anything to chance. Darren might be the charm her needs.
great news for Federer. Cahill is a great coach. they should make a good team.
The news on Fed’s back is very contrdictory. Didn’t his trainer confirm in an interview that IT WAS NOT HIS BACK!
http://www.downthelinetennis.com/2009/02/low-down-fed-not-injured-says-fitness.html
now Godsick says it is, BUT ( listen to this) …it is now over and he is in great shape. Then why the heck Fed is not helping his Davis Cup mates?
Hey Zola! Yes, i posted on that story too – Paganini said that the back was not injured but that Roger needed training to keep it strong – not the most drum tight of excuses, but just plausible enough. Whether injured or not, I think Godsick described Roger’s decision best when he called it “selfish and unpopular.” There’s no denying Roger puts himself before Davis Cup – Andy Roddick and others would probably play even with a tweaked back. But that’s just how it is with Roger. . .
freakyfrites
seems you have some great sources. All these fabulous first-hand news start from here!
I oersonally don’t mind if a player does not play a certain tournament or the Davis Cup. It is their body and their profession. I think Fed could not put the AO win behind emotionally and needed time. Fans can understand that. I wish instead of making lame excuses, he was more honest.
Anyway, back to the coaching, this is an ideal match up. Now we have to sit back and wait for some results.
Interesting – I wonder how everyone would react if Roger just said “I’m not up for Davis Cup right now.” Not sure. I think then everyone would be calling him a wimp instead of an excuse-maker. I’m guessing he prefers the latter. But I agree that you have to cut the top players some slack. Honestly if the Swiss team was playing the Netherlands or Sweden I don’t think anyone would have made such a fuss – it’s that fact that he was coming to Birmingham to play Team U.S.A. that made it so disappointing when he pulled out.
Yep, it will be soooo interesting to see how it works out between Fed and Cahill! Hope we give them some time to adjust.
This is fabulous news! Cahill is perfect for Fed and I can only see good things coming out of this for both. Yes!
hi,
I think this is the best posible coach for Fed!! And i hope they will make it permanent.
About Feds back, Fed is always very carefull about injurys and he himself said that he didnt have enough time last year to completely recover, but he now just took time of to make it stronger and better so that it wont be a problem in the future!!
I think thats the good thing about Fed, always carefull and therefor posible to play and enjoy us with his lovely tennis for the upcomming years! I personally think it was a silly decision from Nadal to play DC because he never let his knees recover enough and therefor the prob will come back till there is nothing left to recover! Even my daughter who is a very big Nadalfan thinks the same!
GO ROGER, WIN INDIAN WELLS
Hi tlkf!
Wow, so your daughter is a Nadal fan and you’re a Fed fan? Must make watching those finals together a lot of fun
But at least when Nadal wins you get to see your daughter happy.
Nadal might feel the effects of Davis Cup play later on this season – but he certainly didn’t seem to be feeling any pain this weekend.
Nice,
Finally, not sure Cahill is the right guy, but, Anything better than Mirka.
I think Fed should look at Louis Cayer.. currently on team Murray. Absolute genius.
Cheers
Interesting pick. And to have someone with insight into the Murray game would be a great help to Roger, wouldn’t it?
We’ll see how it goes with Cahill – the two will be under the microscope, for sure.
This is fantastic news. But, is that picture of Fed and Cahill photoshopped?
Hey JFk! Yes, I’m really thrilled about the Fedhill partnership.
The photo at the net is not doctored, at least to my knowledge. Does it look funny to you? But the silly photo accompanying the “Brangelina” post is our best attempt at a bush league photoshop job.