Federer looks to new coach

Tennis : Roger Federer has turned to coach Jose Higueras in a bid to reverse his recent slump.

Tennis: Roger Federer has turned to coach Jose Higueras in a bid to reverse his recent slump.

The world number one has yet to win a tournament this season - his longest run without a trophy at the start of a year since 2000 - although his fitness has been affected by glandular fever.

The Swiss is determined to return to winning ways and will be joined at the ATP event in Estoril this week by Higueras, who has worked previously with Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Michael Chang.

Federer told his official website, www.rogerfederer.com: "I am excited as I have asked Jose Higueras, one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the world of tennis, to join me.

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"Jose has coached many of the game's great players including former world number one Jim Courier and Michael Chang.

"We are going to spend the week together to see if we could make a good team."

Federer, who has won 11 of his 15 matches on tour in 2008 heading into the European clay court season, insisted he was over his illness and raring to go.

He added: "I am feeling great, eager and ready for the next several months of tennis in Europe."

The 26-year-old has been without a coach since splitting from Tony Roche last May.