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By Chris Oddo/ Wednesday, October 14, 2013

 

After splitting with Roger Federer, Paul Annacone comes out in support of the Swiss No. 7, saying that he will
get back to his winning ways.

Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill

In an interview with USA Today's Doug Robson, Roger Federer's recently departed coach Paul Annacone says he believes that the 17-time Grand Slam champion has an 18th in him.

“Whenever you start to doubt people like this you kind of set yourself up to get your own foot stuck in your mouth," he told Robson. "They're atypical. They're phenoms. As much as Roger still loves to play, the exuberance he still shows in every practice, his desire to continue to enjoy the game — I can't imagine anything other than success coming his way. For me, it's not a matter of if. It's a matter of when."

Heroes and Zeros: Novak's Resilience, Stosur's Osaka Goodness

Annacone, who guided Federer through the last three and a half years of his legendary career, including the 2012 Wimbledon title and the ensuing return to the No. 1 ranking that pushed the Swiss maestro past Pete Sampras for the all-time lead in weeks at No. 1 in the ATP's world rankings, says that the split was mutual, and that Federer is still in really good hands with his longtime friend and coach, Severen Luthi.

"He's with a guy that's very understated but does a great job," Annacone told USA Today. "I think his team around him is very proficient... To be part of that equation was very, very rewarding. I'm most proud of how everyone acted and reacted to challenges."

More Federer: Rod Laver Says Fed is Greatest

Federer, who has dropped to No. 7 in the rankings after going 36-13 on the year with a 1-6 record against the top 10, will need to find his form again in order to secure a spot in this year's prestigious year-end finals, an event that he has won six times in the past. Annacone doesn't think it will be a big problem.

"He's at an interesting time in his career where there is plenty of greatness left," Annacone added. "He just has to put the pieces of the puzzle together."

Federer will begin the post-Annacone era at the Swiss Indoors next week in Basel, Switzerland.



 

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