ESTORIL, Portugal—Roger Federer has unveiled a no-longer-secret weapon for his 2008 clay campaign, which began this week at the Estoril Open.
As he plays at the relatively small ATP tournament on the red dirt for the first time since lifting the Munich trophy in 2003, the No. 1 will have Spanish master Jose Higueras in his corner.
After a few fruitless days of trying to keep the experimental arrangement under wraps – not easy when several thousand applauding fans watched the pair work out on the showcourt at the Estadio Nacional at the weekend – Federer released his worst-kept secret to the world.
"Jose is gonna do this week and we will see how it goes from here," said the 12-time Grand Slam winner, speaking the reporters on the opening day of the event. "It's just all starting, I'm happy he's here."
Federer said that this week in Portugal – his professional debut in the nation – could lead to further collaboration with Higueras.
"We'll have to see how this arrangement goes. It's pretty open at the moment. But he won't to 30-40 weeks a year. That's not what he really wants.
"It's a similar arrangement like it was with Tony Roche – but first we have to get through this week and see how it goes from there."
Federer had been happily without a coach since splitting with Australian guru Tony Roche at Rome last May, but lined up Higueras last month in the States while playing the Masters Series events at Indian Wells and Miami.
After Federer weighed his options, it seemed logical to give the 55-year-old California-based Higueras a try. The 15-time ATP title winner has in the past coached Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and helped 17-year-old Michael Chang to the French Open title nearly two decades ago.
"I've been thinking about a coach for a long time, who would be the right guy," said Federer. "Once I had Jose in my mind I asked if he was interested. He's quite flexible and came over."
The partnership would appear to be aimed at helping Federer secure a title at the French Open, the only Grand Slam he has yet to win. But Federer insists his goal is broader than that. "You try to improve as a player. You need people around who make you better, fitter and stronger. Those guys work hard to make you play better," he said. "If that happens at the French Open, that's the perfect scenario. But I think it is the wrong approach to concentrate only on Paris."
Unlike some, Federer has not pressed the panic button after failing to lift a trophy three months into this season.
After reaching the Australian Open semifinals while recovering from what turned out to be mononucleosis, the No. 1 remains surprised that he did so well under the conditions.
"I disagree with those who say I'm playing bad. I'm definitely not playing bad. I'm on the verge of playing great again, that's what I'm looking at.
"We're now in a different part of the season, it's back to zero for everybody."
Federer, guarded by a special detail of four security men around the grounds on site, said that this week is important as a test of his clay form. He is competing at the smaller event due mainly to the Beijing Olympic scheduling which knocks one week off of the spring clay season.
"Being here as the ultimate favourite and having maybe an easier draw than at a Masters, it's the right thing to kick off the clay court season," he said. "I've not had too many days on clay, it will be tough for all of us. But I hope I can then get on a roll.
"I hope Estoril will pay off and I can do well at other events - especially the French Open."