Roger Federer’s coach Ivan Ljubicic has said that the tennis world is too focused on Grand Slams, and winning majors isn’t the only reason why the Swiss still plays the sport.
The 38-year-old Federer underwent two surgeries on his troublesome right knee this year and has announced that he will not be playing the rest of the 2020 season.
Despite age not being on his side, Federer is hoping to come back strong next year and participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
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“Everything is under control. We are planning the next season,” the former World No 3 told Novi List.
“Everyone is a little too focused on Grand Slam titles. They are the biggest tournaments in our sport, but they are not the only valuable thing,” he said.
“We can measure everything with them, but we’re not all crazy about Grand Slams. What is the case with Federer is that he loves sports and will play as much as he can. We will do everything to get the result, but that is not the only reason why he still plays and wants to play. But it’s clear to me that there are people who can’t understand that.”
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The Croat has been working with Federer since 2016 and was a vital part of the cog when Federer made a riveting comeback in 2017 from injury.
Having missed the last six months of 2016, the Swiss, 35 then, won the Australian Open, the first major of 2017. He also went on to win the Wimbledon title that year.
“It is a wish and a dream for everything to be like in 2017, but it is clear that every situation is new. Anyway, we have one positive experience so we are all positive,” Ljubicic said.
The 41-year-old has started his own management company called LJ Sports Group, and wants to focus solely on that once Federer does decide to retire.
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“Roger will be my last coaching job,” Ljubicic said.
“My work with him is unquestionable and there are no problems there.
“After his career, I can dedicate myself one hundred percent to what makes me happy. Then I will be able to help the players in a way that we judge to be the best. At the moment, as far as the coaching part of the job is concerned, it’s exclusively Roger. The rest is marketing and sponsorship.”
