Coach Edberg embraces challenge of Fed express

Six-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg said on Monday he never imagined he would be sitting in the stands as Roger Federer's lone coach at the Rogers Cup.

The 48-year-old Swede is in charge of coaching arrangements in Canada, with Federer's main coach, Severin Luthi, not attending the ATP event that begins the serious build-up to the US Open in three weeks.

Edberg said that after receiving the call from Federer last December inviting him to join his coaching team, life has changed more than he could have imagined.

"It's nothing that I thought I ever would do but obviously being around Roger and the way he is as a person on and off court has actually been a very, very good journey so far," said Edberg. "It's been good to see him making some progress this year."

Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, dropped a five-set final to Novak Djokovic last month at Wimbledon.

"He was very, very close to winning at Wimbledon. There was one or two points that made a difference in that final, which was one of the better finals I have watched him in for many, many years," said Edberg.

"But that's the way it is in tennis. I still believe the way he's playing, and if he can keep working and stay healthy, he's got a shot of doing very well here going forward. But it's an important week here."

Edberg said that while Luthi heads the coaching side, he will get his chance to put some ideas into action in Toronto.

"I'm here on my own this week and I think I'm coming with a few ideas about how he can handle different things, maybe technically and a few small things," Edberg said. "It has been good so far."

The stoic Swede said sitting in the stands and analyzing feels much tougher than playing.

"In many ways it's worse sitting in the stands, because you can't really do anything sometimes," he said. "You wish you could. You want him to do well, so it's a different feeling."

(China Daily 08/06/2014 page24)