Roger Federer hasn’t taken up an official coaching role since retiring from tennis in 2022.
But the 20-time Grand Slam champion has trained with players, including Norway’s Casper Ruud, whom he beat in a practice tiebreak at the Australian Open this year.
World number 26 Karen Khachanov has now revealed that Federer also offered him the chance to train together.
Karen Khachanov says Roger Federer offered to practice with him in Dubai this year
Appearing as a guest on ‘Hard Court‘, Khachanov recalled the conversation he had with Federer in Melbourne earlier this year.
“I was in Australia this year. We were talking with Roger [Federer] for 30-40 minutes. He was very open, because he already finished his career, I don’t think he would have done that if he was still playing,” said Khachanov (translated from Russian).
“But I asked him questions, I asked him about, for example, in the summer, how he was preparing, why he flew to Dubai.
“He told me he started it at 24-25 years old, but at one point, Mirka told him that he needed to calm down because she was afraid for his heart! ‘Stop flying, and you’ll feel calmer, stay in Switzerland!”
“He also told me that if you are in Dubai during the off-season, call me, I’m ready, come and train.”
Khachanov believes Federer could do great things as a consultant, although he can’t see him coaching full-time.
“I don’t see it as in the role of a coach, but maybe as a mentor or a consultant,” he said.
Federer and Khachanov crossed paths twice during their professional careers, at the 2017 Halle Open and at the 2018 Hopman Cup.
On both occasions, it was the Swiss legend who emerged victorious, winning 6-4, 7-6, in the 2017 Halle Open semi-finals, and 6-3, 7-6, in the 2018 Hopman Cup group stage.
Khachanov witnessed first-hand just how good Federer was, and would be wise to take him up on his offer, especially considering how his season has gone so far…
Karen Khachanov has only reached two quarter-finals this year
The Russian hasn’t exactly set the world alight this year.
Seven months into the season, Khachanov has only played two quarter-finals, losing both.
Karen Khachanov’s 2026 results (16-15)
| Tournament | Performance | Match wins | Defeat |
| Hong Kong Open | Second round | 0 | Michael Mmoh |
| Australian Open | Third round | 2 (Alex Michelsen, Nishesh Basavareddy) | Luciano Darderi |
| Rotterdam Open | Second round | 1 (Jesper De Jong) | Jaume Munar |
| Qatar Open | Quarter-final | 2 (Shintaro Mochizuki, Marton Fucsovics) | Carlos Alcaraz |
| Dubai Tennis Championships | Second round | 1 (Alexander Shevchenko) | Jenson Brooksby |
| Indian Wells | Second round | 0 | Joao Fonseca |
| Miami Open | Third round | 1 (Roberto Bautista Agut) | Martin Landaluce |
| Monte Carlo Masters | First round | 0 | Arthur Rinderknech |
| Barcelona Open | First round | 0 | Camilo Ugo Carabelli |
| Madrid Open | Third round | 1 (Adam Walton) | Jakub Mensik |
| Italian Open | Quarter-final | 3 (Alexander Shevchenko, Botic van de Zandschulp, Dino Prizmic) | Casper Ruud |
| Hamburg Open | Second round | 1 (Hugo Gaston) | Ugo Humbert |
| French Open | Third round | 2 (Arthur Gea, Marco Trungelliti) | Jesper De Jong |
| Halle Open | First round | 0 | Ethan Quinn |
| Wimbledon | Third round | 2 (Billy Harris, Yannick Hanfmann) | Flavio Cobolli |
Those performances have seen him slip to 26th in the rankings, and the ‘Live ATP Race’ paints an even bleaker picture.
Official ATP Rankings
- 24. Tommy Paul – 1,975 points
- 25. Rafael Jodar – 1,927 points
- 26. Karen Khachanov – 1,780 points
- 27. Joao Fonseca – 1,710 points
- 28. Arthur Rinderknech – 1,683 points
There, Khachanov sits 36th, having accumulated fewer points than 35 other players this year.
Live ATP Race
- 34. Zizou Bergs – 910 points
- 35. Lorenzo Musetti – 885 points
- 36. Karen Khachanov – 870 points
- 37. Hubert Hurkacz – 865 points
- 38. Matteo Berrettini – 863 points
The bad news doesn’t end there, as the 30-year-old is set to defend 650 of his 1,780 points (37%) at the Canadian Open next month, after reaching the final 12 months ago.
Before then, Khachanov will attend the Los Cabos Open in Mexico, which begins on Monday, July 27.
