It's a nice idea for Roger to bring on a coach and Paul Annacone (above, shirtless) certainly brings with him a great resume. But that is only step 1. Step 2, in my opinion, is they need to get Roger playing more.
Years ago Roger needed to make an adjustment in his schedule to cut back the number of tournaments he entered because the guy was always playing on final Sunday. All that match play brimmed him with confidence unparalleled in the history of the sport.
This year has not been the same story. He has a serious lack of match play. In fact he went from winning the Australian Open in January to a opening match loss at Rome Masters Series 1000 in April having only played 5 matches - winning 3, losing 2.
He stated after he lost his #1 ranking (before Rafa won Wimbledon) that it was a goal of his to get it back by the end of the year. Well, here's the only plausible scenario... He'll have to win the US Open, a Master Series title or two (there are only 4 left) and do something he doesn't do much of: play a few 500's and *gasp* maybe even a couple 250's. It can be done but only with more match play.
Hell, he should be entered in Los Angeles. 3 tournaments before the Open is better than 2 for him right now. He surely doesn't need to run into someone like an Isner who will be hot from a full US Open series schedule in the 4th round at the Open with just (at a maximum) 8-10 matches played in Toronto and Cincy. That worked for the old Federer era - we look to be dealing with a new and trickier era.
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As for Paul Annacone, he shouldn't get too comfortable as Roger's coach. Roger has a habit of bringing in someone for a few months before he parts ways.
The former and last coach of the great Pete Sampras, Annacone was clearly brought in to help Roger shorten his points. As a player on the ATP tour from the mid-80's to the mid-90's his playing style was 'chip and charge or die.'
Paul won 3 ATP titles and made a Qf appearance at Wimbledon with this attitude and got as high as #12 in the rankings. Even better was his doubles prowess winning 14 titles including the Australian Open in '85.
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