Annacone: "Roger Federer has always been very self-conscious"

• Tennis News
• Roger Federer

Paul Annacone had an excellent playing career, winning three titles in the major circuit and reaching the Top 15 of the world ranking. The American has collaborated with champions of the caliber of Pete Sampras, Tim Henman, Roger Federer and Sloane Stephens, while he is now part of the team of Taylor Fritz, one of the great promises of the American tennis.

“Taylor is one of the most determined people I know, that can be both a good and a bad thing,” explains the Southampton man in a report for ATP. “It is a challenge to convince him of something he does not believe in, but it is also good to face adversity, when he is on the court and things are not going well.

He is one of the best competitors out there, he never stops, I’ve even seen him win matches when he’s sick. These ingredients are key to reach its full power, “said the 57-year-old technician. Annacone also recalled his experience with Federer and Sampras: “Roger has always been very self-conscious, which is why it was so easy to train him.

You do not have much to convince him, he already does it in a pragmatic way and that does not affect his confidence. That is one of the reasons why it has continued to shine for so long, because it feels comfortable in its own skin.

You can become very realistic about what you are doing well and what you are not. To convince Roger you needed to prove it to him, always explain why. Otherwise, the method would not work. Pete was more concise, he wanted a clear and direct direction, to go outside with a simple plan in mind.

You have to find out what each player needsThat is one of the arts of coaching and one of the reasons why I like training so much."