Roger Federer worked with a number of legendary coaches throughout his time at the top of the ATP Tour.
Darren Cahill might have rejected Federer, but the star did work with the likes of Paul Annacone and Stefan Edberg throughout his Grand Slam-winning career.
Federer opted for several former professional players for his coaches, including former world number three Ivan Ljubicic.
The Swiss star played Ljubicic a number of times throughout his career and he held an incredible record against the star he would go on to call coach.
Roger Federer’s record against his former coach Ivan Ljubicic
Federer played Ljubicic 16 times on the ATP Tour before the Croatian’s retirement from the sport in 2012, but he rarely tasted success against the Swiss star.
The star won just three of those matches, with each of them coming before Federer was truly one of the greatest players of all time.
| 2010 | Roger Federer | Stockholm |
| 2008 | Roger Federer | ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | Tennis Masters Cup |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | ATP Masters 1000 Miami |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Tennis Masters Cup |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Dubai |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Rotterdam |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Doha |
The Croatian defeated Federer in 2001, 2002, and 2003, but then lost the next 10 matches to Federer between 2005 and 2010.
They never met at a Grand Slam, but Federer knocked Ljubicic out of four Masters tournaments and picked up a win at the ATP Finals.
Ljubicic does, however, hold a remarkable record over his former student.
The Croatian was the only player to beat Federer on home soil in Switzerland, at the Vienna Open and Gstaad.
Six years after their last match in 2010, Ljubicic was confirmed as Federer’s new coach. He oversaw two Australian Open victories for Federer, as well as a win at Wimbledon, and four Masters wins.
What Roger Federer taught Ivan Ljubicic
Although Ljubicic was the one who was paid to coach Federer, the Croatian did reveal what he learned from the Swiss superstar.
Speaking to the Australian Open, he revealed: “If I can give any advice to people, and Roger taught me this more than anybody else: celebrate your victories.
“Celebrate them. Even the losses – if it’s the final, give it time. It deserves to be celebrated.”
The Croatian coach oversaw Federer’s final-ever Grand Slam victory and he saw out the twilight of the Swiss star’s career.
