Looking back on those days, Edberg revealed how much it meant to him to be asked to coach a legend like Roger Federer.
Speaking on Eurosport’s ‘Tennis Legends’ vodcast that was hosted by Mats Wilander, arch-rivals Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker came together to share their coaching experiences. And Edberg happily recalled his days coaching Roger Federer during a particularly difficult time for the Swiss.
Federer called on Edberg to help as he was eager to change his game style, and the Swedish legend looked at it as a great opportunity.
How Stefan Edberg came on-board Roger Federer’s coaching team
After receiving an unexpected call from Roger Federer, Stefan Edberg knew the Swiss was struggling.
In 2013 Federer dropped to World No. 7 in the rankings, failing to reach the final of a Major for the first time since 2002. It was at this time that Federer decided to seek the coaching advice of his idol, Stefan Edberg.
The experience of coaching Roger was an eye-opener for Edberg as well. “He (Roger Federer) knows so much about tennis so there is only so much you can sort of teach him because he knows pretty much everything on the court,” the Swede said.
Although the 2013-15 tryst with Edberg did not lead to a Slam win for Roger Federer, Edberg believes that he was able to help modify the Swiss great’s game.
Roger Federer idolized Stefan Edberg ever since he was a kid
Roger Federer’s admiration for Stefan Edberg goes back years, to when the Swiss was just a kid. He sat wide-eyed with his eyes hooked to the television, watching Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg battle it out on the grass courts of Wimbledon.
The 38-year-old has always been torn between Becker and Edberg, whose intense rivalry was one for the ages.
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