Roger Federer shares the key advice every tennis coach should follow

Arguably one of the greatest tennis players ever to grace the court, Roger Federer has intermittently returned to tennis following his retirement from the sport in 2022. The Swiss icon recently took part in exhibition matches and practice sessions at the Australian open and the US Open.

He was also inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame earlier this year, so he is now more involved in the sport that he dominated for nearly two decades. Most recently, Federer made an appearance at the Shanghai Masters and when he was asked if he had any advice for coaches working the young players, while speaking to the Chinese media, he urged the coaches and parents who are raising young tennis players to proceed with caution.

He said, “A child aged 10,12, or 14 years has still plenty of time. In Switzerland, I won the national titles in the under-12, under-14 and under-16 age groups, but I didn’t progress internationally until I was 16 or 17. Sometimes growth comes later, and coaches and parents have to be patient.”

When asked whether he would consider returning to tennis and become a coach for a player on the ATP or WTA Tour? The 20-time Grand Slam Champion replied, not on a full-time basis. However, he said he would consider becoming a Laver Cup captain.

He further quipped, “I guess with Laver Cup down the road may the captain role is definitely something I would consider, for sure. Cochin at the minute, no, just because I am too busy, and kids need my undivided attention. Plus, I have too many projects. I love my time and my life with my wife, so I don't want to change that at the minute, but never say never.”

The maestro used his former coach and legendary player, Stefan Edberg, as an example of why he could change his mind. Stefan Edberg never thought he was going to coach, and then all of a sudden he got sucked into my world for two years. We had the best of times, he explained.

But after one year, he did say, Roger, I have got one more year in me. Yeah, think about getting back on the road and if you want to have an impact with a player, I feel you probably need to put in at least 20 to 25 weeks.