Roger Federer has recently had competition in-house. His trainer Ivan Ljubicic founded the management agency “LJ Sports Group” and has contracts with tennis ace Matteo Berrettini and Formula 1 driver Nico Hülkenberg, among others. A new player on the market that Federer is also occupying with his manager Tony Godsick and their company “Team 8”.
A latent danger of getting in each other’s way because of player mandates. But Ljubicic appeased: «Before I became a coach, I was a good friend of Roger for many years. There is no problem and there will never be a problem between us. “
Federer was there first, Ljubicic takes himself back
In an interview with “OK Tennis”, the Croat added: “Also because he started this business before me.” So Federer was there first – and Ljubicic is ready to take a back seat.
The other latent danger is that the job as a Federer coach will suffer from the new commitment. But Ljubicic also declines there. «My job is and will be to be Roger Federer’s trainer. But I used the compulsory break last spring to lay the foundation for future work. ”
Ljubicic trusts its partners, with whom the company should grow. «The goal is that my constant physical presence is not needed. Also because I’ll be by Roger’s side for a while, I hope. “
“It’s going well at Federer”
And at Federer’s side, Ljubicic finally has more to do again. After the two knee operations, the 20-time Grand Slam winner is back on the field and is heading for a comeback in January. “I would say it’s going well,” said Ljubicic. “He’s always training more and better – I’m curious to see how much we can push in the next few months.”
Federer himself just posted a first picture back on the training ground. According to Ljubicic, they have so far been able to go through with the program that they had in mind. “There’s a lot of self-confidence there.”
«End of career? He does not set any limits »
Time will have to tell how things will continue. The former world number 3 cannot say what will be in April. Federer wants to move forward quickly and “play a great Australian Open and then look at the next steps.”
The 41-year-old holds out the prospect that there are still many steps ahead. When asked about the timing of the end of his career, he says: «He doesn’t set any limits for himself, let alone me. Hopefully he’ll stay on the pitch for a long time. ” (sme)
