Edberg Was With Federer A Few Days In Dubai

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 19th December 2013

Edberg Was With Federer A Few Days In Dubai

epa03937449 Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after winning a point against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during a singles Barclays ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 05 November 2013. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Former great Stefan Edberg has left the door wide open for a possible coaching collaboration with Roger Federer, with the Swede telling local media that he is ready to work with the 17-time grand slam event champion if asked.

“It’s a matter for us to find time to fit it in,” the 47-year-old told Stockholm’s Svenska Dagbladet. “If we can, I would be more than happy.”

The six-time grand slam event winner who retired in 1996, has always been the childhood idol of Federer, who invited the Swede to work with him for a few days this month at his base in Dubai. Upon his return to Sweden, Edberg said that the work went well and could be the start of something.

The idea of the camp was that I would give my views and come up with some feedback. He wants to try some new things,” said the serve-and-volley king who said that he advised the 32-year-old Swiss to play a more attacking game in hope of avoiding long rallies with elite baseliners Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“I was very surprised (that Federer asked) because it’s so long since I left tennis. But I was also very flattered. I’ve never really thought about coaching and if it had not been Federer doing the asking, honestly, I would not have been interested.

While admitting there might be room for a meeting of the minds, Edberg displayed his traditional, discreet nature, refusing to go into details about what arrangements the tennis pair might have discussed.

“Of course I have some comments as to what needs to change and evolve, but it’s not the one thing that I sit here and talk about it. I think he will be coming back. He’s a great player and all the pieces are in place, he can definitely win some more grand slam titles.”

Topics: 10sballs, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Stefan Edberg, Tennis, Tennis News