Roger Federer: Swiss star was 'perfect' player, but we had 'difficult times mentally' - Ivan Ljubicic

Roger Federer's former coach Ivan Ljubicic has lifted the lid on his time with the Swiss star during his final years on the tour. Ljubicic helped Federer end a seven-year wait for a Grand Slam, as the pair won three major titles together. “We've also had some difficult times mentally," Ljubicic admitted in an honest interview. "We've had some complicated times."

Roger Federer and Ivan Ljubicic

Image credit: Getty Images

Ivan Ljubicic has opened up on his time and relationship with Roger Federer during the final years of the legendary player’s professional career.

Ljubicic, a former world No. 3, replaced Stefan Edberg as Federer’s coach in December 2015 and led him to the last three of his 20 Grand Slam titles.

"I was working in London with Italian television for the Masters, and he invited me, his wife and my wife to dinner,” the Croatian explained on how he crossed paths with the Swiss star in an exclusive interview with Eurosport France.

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“He asked me if I'd be interested in working with him. I was really surprised because I didn't know Stefan Edberg was going to stop. I said ‘Yes, absolutely’.

“After that, we continued to talk about goals. He asked me if I thought he could still win Grand Slams because he hadn't won one for four years. I said ‘absolutely’.

“I also said I wasn't signing up for just one Grand Slam, I said I'd like to win several."

Roger Federer and Ivan Ljubicic

Image credit: Getty Images

The pair’s maiden triumph came at the Australian Open in 2017 with a victory in the final against Rafael Nadal, before Federer - who had not won a major title in seven years - went on to claim a record eighth Wimbledon title later that year.

"I'm proud and happy about this match against Nadal, because he was 3-1 down in the 5th set,” Ljubicic said, as he reflected on Federer’s fifth Australian Open triumph.

“To come back and win the match was very special for me. It was the most emotional moment as a coach, but almost as a player for Roger.

“After that, the story goes on, and we know that Novak [Djokovic] has won more than the others, but that tournament was very important."

Although Ljubicic believes that Federer was “perfect” in almost every way at that point in his career, he admitted that the pair endured some “complicated times”.

"The details, the excellence of everything he did,” Ljubicic added when asked what it was like to work with such an icon of sport.

“Preparing for interviews, his warm-ups, the dinners. All the things he did, he did with great application. There were many days when I didn't know what to say because he was perfect.

“We've also had some difficult times mentally, because everyone thinks that everything is easy for Roger, but we've had some complicated times.”

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