Interviews with Severin Lüthi

by LaRubia Sun Apr 16, 2017 3:50 pm

I'm currently in translation mood and therefore here is another translation of an interview with Severin from a couple of days ago:

Federer-Coach Severin Lüthi

„Roger doesn't get too stressed“

Roger Federer's coach Severin Lüthi isn't surprised by the great comeback of the Swiss. Federer has benefitted from his long injury break – and from his prudent planning.

Severin Lüthi, Roger Federer has meanwhile won his 3rd titlt. How much are you surprised by this sensational comeback?

First of all: We all know what Roger is capable of. When I saw last December in what kind of good form he was I said to him: You can already win in Melbourne. But I have to confess that I though after his first two matches at the Australian Open that it would be difficult against Tomas Berdych if he wouldn't improve. It characterizes big players though that they can lift their game in important moments to a higher level. That it would be so convincing afterwards I didn't expect though. Roger didn't play half a year before. That doesn't even leave such an excepteional athlete like him unaffected.

The victory in Australia was one thing. Afterwards he also won the first two ATP 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miamia and he already beat 7 Top 10 players this year.

Without taking anything away from anyone: I guess that nobody else would have been capable of doing this. It is phenomenal how quick Roger adjusts to the tournament rhythm. I have already noticed this many times after holidays when he went back on the court and hit every ball. I always though: What has he done in the vacations? Did he play tennis every day? Roger carries like most of the top players who already won something big a good portion of self-confidence inside him. He is able to use positive energy extremely well for himself. Also in this respect thereof his victory in Melbourne was of course worth a mint.

Many expected a performance loss afterwards.

He took time for himself after the Australian Open. You can't underestimate how emotionally demanding a Grand Slam victory is. Roger doesn't get too stressed though. He didn't run to the next tournament to use the good run but instead enjoyed the success. He didn't fully recovered in Dubai when he lost in the second round. Even though you never want to lose this loss was maybe a good one. Without it the victories in Indian Wells and Key Biscayne wouldn't maybe have been possible.

Do you think that the injury and the rest thereafter last year was maybe even a lucky chance?

Of course this thesis is hypothetical but also not to be dismissed. Roger has never been seriously injured in his career. Even though you have holidays they are too short to really zone out. The forced break gave him the chance to completely heal his body and to build up his fitness. At the same time he also got distance. He used it optimally.

Viewed from the outside one has the impression that Federer is as relaxed as never brore. He posts funny selfies, seems to be socially and relaxed. Do you also see him like that?

I don't see any big changes as I have always seen him very relaxed. Of course those victories and especially the title in Melbourne help. But Roger has always been a very grateful person. He once told me: If my career is over today I'm happy about what I have achieved. But what is true is that he has never enjoyed a Grand Slam victory as much as the one from Melbourne.

Did he doubt himself after the last 3 losses in the last Major finals against Novak Djokovic more than he admitted?

It always hurts to lose a Grand Slam final. I don't look inside of him. But I was still convinced during that stage that he would win at least one more Major title. When you always reach the SF and F the next chance will come.

One gets the impression that he plays more offensive than before the injury break.

We haven't explicitly talked about that during the break. It may have to do with his winning series. Everything is a process. We already work for a long time on this offensive style. Already Federers former coach Annacone told him to try to make more pressure. But such things don't change on button press. Now also the change of the raquet helps him. Even though the change himself is already 3 years ago it takes some time to get used to the new raquet.

Even a player with the success of Federer is still open for input from others?

You don't have to motivate him for that. He always asks: What do we do differently at the next tournament, what do we change in the next season? Even today he still tries to improve all the time. That's why he also changes his team from time to time. It's not just the people who are sitting in his box right now who are responsible for the success. Something stayed from each of his coaches. José Higueras for example asked him to play more stopps. I still remember that he [Roger] asked back then: „Why should I do this? Everything is working good.“ But I'm convinced that it helped him to win his first title in Paris. There are two extreme amongst the players: The first one you can say now you are playing two times cross court, then longline and he does it. The other one is stubborn and doesn't get convinced by anything. Roger is a good mixture of both. He is definitely open for new things. But you have to convince him with good arguments.

Right after his victory in Miami Federer said he would only play in Paris. Is that for sure?

In principle, yes. It was not a spontaneous decision but something that we talked about before. Our next big goal is Wimbledon.

Does he realize that he has the chance to become #1 again?

Of course. You can't get away from this. Everyone is currently talking about this possibility. But the world ranking doesn't have a priority for us in the team. He becomes the #1 or not. Roger won't change his schedule because of that. Of course he meanwhile has won more than 4000 points. But in order to become #1 again he has to win many more matches. With Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome there are 3 tournaments coming up now where he won't play and others will win. Who knows. Maybe afterwards everyone is talking of the possibility that Rafael Nadal becomes #1 again.

Original source: https://www.nzz.ch/sport/roger-federer-coach-severin-luethi-interview-ld.155222

by Márcia Sun Apr 16, 2017 5:57 pm

Doris, thank you a lot, my friend! Always so good reading form members of the team.

by ph∞be Sun Apr 16, 2017 6:52 pm

Thank you for taking so much trouble to translate- google translate does not do half as good a job.

by **Cromar** Tue Jul 31, 2018 6:48 am

It's always interesting and a privilege to hear from Severin, and this interview is no different! Sunny

I hope that everyone here has recovered from the post-Wimbledon blues, because it surely looks like Roger has, according to Sev: "More relaxed than him, one cannot be"! Sleepy

Translated from German:

"Because Roger is incredibly relaxed"

Coach Severin Luthi speaks in Gstaad about Federer's exit at Wimbledon and the new starting point before the U.S. Open.

Interviews with Severin Lüthi Topelement

Interviews with Severin Lüthi Topelement

«With 37 years and his experience, Roger does not need 25 tournaments before a Grand Slam.»
Image: Peter Schneider

René Stauffer, Sports editor - Tages-Anzeiger
29 Jul. 2018

Have you digested the disappointment of Wimbledon, with Federer's five-set defeat in the quarter-final against Anderson?
A disappointment it was indeed, knowing that he gave everything. He usually doesn't lose such a match, but rather wins it somehow.

What went wrong?
From the second set, he began to play too conservative. This will give the opponent the chance to raise his own game, and then it can be very dangerous. We also saw again how small the margins are. For me, Roger was too often behind the baseline, which is unusual, and Anderson began to dominate, carried by the serve.

Mats Wilander said that on the Centre Court, Federer would have never lost. Agree?
The conditions were different, Court 1 was certainly no advantage. The sun falls into the stadium differently, so does the wind... But Roger is not one to look for excuses after the fact. He never mention it. Conversely, many of his opponents have the disadvantage that he has played x-times on Centre Court. That's part of it. Ultimately, it was probably a combination of things.

At Wimbledon, rumors circulated after his departure that he had injured himself.
No, no. There were no problems, there is nothing, all is good.

Federer only plays again in mid-August in Cincinnati. What's up with him?
First, he took a pause for a few days, then began fitness training in Switzerland. In between, he also played some tennis, but that was more exercise purposes.

Wasn't the start of the Masters tournament in Toronto the week before Cincinnati not an issue?
One can't really say. But would it be an advantage for him to play two tournaments before the U.S. Open? No, not in my view. Of course, some people will say: and if he loses in Cincinnati in the first round? The most important for him, however, is that he is fresh, motivated and inspired. With 37 years and his experience, he doesn't need 25 tournaments before a Grand Slam.

Is skipping Toronto also a consequence of the fact that in 2017 in Montreal against Zverev he got back problems?
Yes, also. Conceivably, before Wimbledon it would have also been wiser to skip the Halle tournament (where he lost in the final against Coric) after Stuttgart (where he won). But, in hindsight, one always knows better. I really don't think that it would be an advantage to play Toronto and Cincinnati. It might even be a disadvantage.

Will you be in the United States?
Yes, I will be in Cincinnati and at the U.S. Open, Ivan (Ljubicic) will come to New York. I don't intend to attend the Laver-Cup (in Chicago), which takes place the week after the Davis Cup (Switzerland - Sweden in Biel/Bienne).

Federer's last US Open victory goes back ten years. Does that change the objective somewhat?
No. He wants to win every tournament he plays.

Were you surprised by Djokovic's Wimbledon victory?
For me, it was always clear that he would come back. One just simply didn't know exactly when.

Could he start to dominate again like in his best years?
He is one who gets even more dangerous when he starts to win major tournaments. But I'm not quite sure how strong he is again physically.

Would you rather have seen Anderson as Wimbledon champion instead of Djokovic - or even Nadal?
For me that was not so crucial. When Roger is eliminated, I no longer follow the tournaments that closely.

Are you not interested in Federer having more Majors than Nadal?
Sure, if Nadal had won... where would he be now?

At 18, just two behind Federer.
I think that ultimately you must look at yourself. And Roger is incredibly relaxed in this regard. He does not say: Nadal may not win, otherwise he will be closer to me... Such emotions and feelings would not be helpful either.

He is actually that relaxed?
More relaxed than him, one cannot be. But he also knows when it gets serious again, when he must be focused and all that.

We are here in Gstaad: Doesn't your heart bleed when you see that in 2018 there is only one Swiss player in the draw?
Sure. I would rather have it different. But we do not have a lot of players behind Roger and Stan (Wawrinka). And Laaksonen preferred to play in Hamburg, at sea level, after Bastad. We also don't help young players if we keep giving them wildcards. Then maybe they lack the incentive.

The 22-year old from Zurich, Marc Andrea Hüsler, who had received one, won after all the opening match against Almagro.
He had earned this wildcard too. He has progressed well, not only in the ranking (he is now in the top 400).

What to do you expect him to do?
I don't expect that he will now simply march into the top 100. His path is still long, you can not expect miracles.

Why so skeptical? Because he has still many deficiencies?
I do not want to talk much about his deficiencies, but athletically he can still improve. Maybe I am wrong, and things will go up faster with him than I think. But you must not lose sight of reality. Even Futures tournaments are not easy to win. But so far he has gone step by step, and now more must follow. I like what he does. (Sunday newspaper)

by ph∞be Tue Jul 31, 2018 3:34 pm

Thanks cromar.

I think 99.99% of Fed fans will believe that Roger would not have lost on CC but....he has lost before so who knows?

by **Cromar** Fri Feb 01, 2019 8:15 am

Translated from the article published in French in the Swiss newspaper Le Matin:

'There is too much speculation around Federer'

Severin Luthi knows Federer by heart. He talks about its elimination and especially about the future of the champion.

Severin Lüthi (on left) during the match lost by Roger Federer against Stefanos Tsitsipas: You said worried?
Image: Keystone

PAR DANIEL VISENTINI | www.lematin.ch
MELBOURNE - 23 January 2019

Severin Lüthi, as one who has shared the post-game with him, how has Federer digested his elimination against Tsitsipas on Sunday?

He was disappointed, of course. Sad? I don't know. With Roger, it's hard to say. I know some, like me, who could not speak for three days. Him, except for the legitimate disappointment, is not the kind to double over with sadness by rolling on the ground. In fact, he has an ability to turn the page and move forward that is also the mark of champions.

He said after the game that he wanted to speak with his staff about the break points missed, the service returns that he was not satisfied with: Did this discussion take place?

Yes, of course. Had he won, we would have had a debriefing as well. We always look at what is working and what is not after a game. We talked about it together on Monday. What is there to say? That the match hinged on a few details. Tsitsipas has maybe surprised us a bit with his style, an unexpected style. He played very well, he had nothing to lose, and he took advantage of it. Roger was more in control. Now, a stat of zero break points out of twelve, that's not normal. No doubt there was a part of passivity. The 19-year old Federer would have perhaps hit the ball by taking every risks each time. The one of today is more experienced and compromises. But in the end, it didn't depend on much. There was also the fact that in the evening, the new balls (Dunlop) are slower. There are several factors that led to this defeat. However, that does not put in question his schedule. He left Australia on Monday, it's not for me to say where.

Nadal is at 17 Grand Slams, Federer at 20: Does he thinks about this sometimes, this record?

I don't have the feeling that this is an obsession for him. Sure, he'd like to keep this record. But it doesn't haunt him. When he wins a Grand Slam, he doesn't tell himself that he is getting ahead of Rafa or keeping him at bay. And frankly, this isn't a topic of discussion, we do not talk about it.

He will play on clay this season, because he "wants to, once more": Does this mean that it is his last Roland Garros?

I don't know if that's really the deeper meaning of what he wanted to say. He is 37 years old, going on to 38, it's normal that he is not going to give guarantees over 3 or 5 years. What I can say, is that if he had already decided to stop at the end of the season, it would imply a different physical preparation with Pierre Paganini, because he wouldn't need to do the ground work for the future. But, nothing has changed in the usual preparation. This doesn't necessarily mean he will play in 2020, but that's the way it is for the moment.

We hear a lot of things around the future of Roger Federer...

Yes I know. There is too much speculation around him. He has chosen not to pay attention to it, and to not answer all the rumors. It's like his retirement. By continuing the random speculation, someone will get it right eventually, but the reality is that it’s not on the agenda. And I don’t think that he himself has decided anything yet.

There are only a few truths for the time being: the desire to play on clay; that he didn't want to take such a long break as last year between the hard and grass-court season; the fact that even if everything is different on clay, it can be useful for what's to come.

by HeartoftheMatter Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:08 pm

This Severin Luthi, although he appears as a man of few words, he certainly can express himself so well, so throughly and succinctly and understandably and with a certain amount of openness and yet with restraint, that it is quite something. Not that it surprises, since he knows Roger, tennis, and he is the captain of the Swiss Davis Cup team. I just find it admirable how he approaches the questions, straight on, not beating about the bush but yet derailing any attempt to make him disclose something.
A valuable man, on his own, and as part of the Federer team.

by HeartoftheMatter Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:15 pm

ph∞be wrote:Thanks cromar.

I think 99.99% of Fed fans will believe that Roger would not have lost on CC but....he has lost before so who knows?

There is no certainty, but we know that most changes can make a difference. At this level of the game, things can become magnified, both in the mind, and also, one can't forget the circumstances are not quite the same in both courts, as someone pointed out. There is no question in my mind that Roger is the superior player, but that does not always guarantee things.

by Steerpike60 Fri Feb 01, 2019 7:36 pm

Roger was more in control. Now, a stat of zero break points out of twelve, that's not normal."

Sorry, I just had to smile at this. Yes, maybe Roger not breaking at all with 12 chances is not normal, but Roger having a very low BP conversion percentage is hardly abnormal, ha! Smile

by **Cromar** Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:28 am

Interview with Severin Lüthi for Swiss media

"...Then it would only take two more wins to win the title"

After Federer's furious start in Melbourne, coach Severin Lüthi talks about the new surface and the race for the Grand Slam crown.

Interviews with Severin Lüthi Topelement

Severin Lüthi believes in other Grand Slam titles for Roger Federer. Image: Getty

By René Stauffer | Tages Anzeiger
20 January 2020

Roger Federer was uncertain before the Australian Open. Now he won his first match of the season easily against Steve Johnson 6:3, 6:2, 6:2. Where does he stand?

It was an ideal start. He had already played very well in training, but competition matches are always different. You can train as much as you want, but when you get a brutal first match, it can be a bit of a shock to the body.

He had said that he didn't consider himself as one of the favorites until he had proven himself. Does he really see it that way?

So far, he has only survived one round. You can not already say that he is the tournament favorite. It's true, his tennis is there and he was able to train without any setbacks during his preparation. But that doesn't guarantee anything.

Is it a risk to compete without match practice? How do you respond to the criticism that instead he played too many exhibition tournaments, in South America and China?

If he had lost in the first round, one could safely say that he should have played a preparatory tournament. But basically he doesn't have to do anything. He is now 38, has done so much for tennis ... My view is: He owes nothing to anyone. It just has to be right for him. I can understand his planning well. Why is he still playing at this age, still so motivated? Maybe because he just always finds new inspiration and motivation. By playing, for example, iin other places, in front of some 40,000 spectators in Mexico. Of course it would be nice if he could play all the tournaments. But that's unrealistic.

Do his muted expectations in Melbourne have also something to do with his age? He will be 39 this year, and realistically it would be a very good result if he reached the semi-finals.

I don't think so, and we don't look at it from this side either. As a tennis player, you always try to see the things in a way that is positive for you. And if he actually made it to the semifinals, it would only take two more wins to win the title.

Federer won the title in Melbourne in 2017 and 18 before losing to Tsitsipas in the round of 16 in 2019. The ball brand was changed here last year and those new balls immediately became an issue as they swell so quickly.

Yes, and now the surface has also been changed, from Plexicushion to Green-Set. It's a bit slower than last year. However, we do not yet know how it may change after a few days. It may become faster quickly. However, slower conditions are not a disadvantage for Roger. Thanks to his experience, he can adapt quickly.

You may be bored with this question: do you have any idea or feeling how long he will be playing?

No. I just do not know. If you had asked me a few years ago whether he would still be playing in 2020, I would have said: no. And I think it's good that he doesn't know himself either.

Is that really the case?

Yes. At least that's my impression, my stand. We don't talk much about this topic together. In any case, I don't think he is one who will announce his retirement much in advance.

He is now the world number 3, and Nadal and Djokovic seem to have distanced themselves somewhat, as well they won the last seven Grand Slams. Do you agree?

This is a snapshot that can change quickly. It was only a few months ago that Roger had match balls in the Wimbledon final against Djokovic and in my opinion was the better player. And nothing fundamental has changed since then.

It was a brutal defeat, but Federer seems to have gotten over it well. Do big titles mean less to him now than before?

I do not believe that. It could even be the opposite: That these titles mean even more to him now, also because he knows what it takes to do it.

One of the big questions in 2020 is whether one of the young players like Tsitsipas or Medvedev can win a Grand Slam title. What do you think?

If I had to guess, I would say: not this year. Until you have accomplished and proven this, you have not yet achieved it. You should never underestimate big champions and have the feeling that they would now be pushed through to the back. There are always outstanding players, who always have someone on the verge of triumph. As Nadal did in Paris, with one exception. You never know.

Another much-debated question is: Will Federer soon be replaced as the record Grand Slam winner? He stands at 20, Nadal at 19.

I really think that he can still win Grand Slam titles himself. If he can play himself into a tournament, anything is possible. He showed that here in 2017. Back then, too, he played very well in training, like now. Meanwhile, training means a bit more to him than before, since he plays fewer tournaments. But he was always a big match player. And that's what ultimately counts.

And Stan Wawrinka? Do you believe the man from Lausanne can be part of the battle for the Grand Slam title again?

I've had less to do with him lately. But he has beaten many big players in the past and is now back in the top 20. And he is one of the few who have already proven that they can win big titles. That makes him even more dangerous.

Federer is becoming more and more sought after emotionally and the potential distractions are ever growing for him, with everything that happens off the courts. Could that be a handicap for him sportwise?

In his career, he has also grown as a person and has something to say on many more subjects than before. He also likes to get involved and is interested in many things. I even think that it is more difficult when you are totally sealed off.

A video recording in Melbourne on Sunday shows you play hide-and-seek with him and physiotherapist Daniel Troxler. How did that happen?

We like to have fun with each other. I also think it's not bad if you keep your childish side. In tennis you travel a lot, and when the atmosphere is right, everything is easier.

Did you know it was being filmed?

Actually yes. But you don't always think about where all the cameras are. It wasn't bad, it was funny. What was extreme, however, was how it immediately made the rounds afterwards.

You are now 44 and have been married since summer 2017. In contrast to Federer, you don't have any children yourself. You once said that as long as you travel so much, you wouldn't want to have children of your own. Does that still apply?

Yes, I guess it's time we knew (smiles) ... But if I really wanted children now, I would travel less already.

So could one say: It would also have advantages for you if Federer retired?

There are two sides to it. On the one hand, I am grateful and very much appreciate that I have been able to do this for so long. On the other hand, there are also moments when you don't necessarily want to leave home right away. But then you say to yourself: It's just part of it. And we are privileged, we travel to nice places mostly. I could imagine that I would miss traveling if I couldn't do it anymore.

Are you planning to reduce your workload?

No, this season should be similar to last year. Whereby, for me, the Davis Cup in Peru in February and the Olympic Games in Tokyo will be added.

by **Cromar** Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:01 pm

Translation of an interview with Severin Lüthi by Marco Keller for Swiss tennis magazine Smash

Thanks to @Doris LaRubia for the translation. Clapping Hands

It's rare to get an insight into Lüthi's thoughts... This is an in-depth interview about his life at present, his career and future plans. He also answered a few questions about Roger, of course! Smile

"I miss the match situations, to meet the people, but there are other opportunities. With Roger, for example, I chatted a lot on FaceTime, something which we usually don't do often." Severin Lüthi

"I will have to look for new challenges" (Severin Lüthi)

By Marco Keller | Smash Magazine
July 8, 2020

Usually he is on the road almost the whole time, during the Corona crisis it also got more quiet for Severin Lüthi. The Bernese reveals in this big interview if he misses travelling, talks about one of the biggest secrets of success for Roger Federer and thinks about his personal future.

Interviews with Severin Lüthi File72h67b0wt6txhcw34q1

Interviews with Severin Lüthi File72h67b0wt6txhcw34q1

File picture

Severin Lüthi, do you still know where your passport is?

I‘m not that sure. Probably at home on the small cupboard at the entrance. I haven‘t needed it for a long time.

Has the Davis Cup in Peru been your last trip?

Almost. After the return we travelled to the Maldives for holidays. As soon as we were there it got uncomfortable. We didn‘t knew whether we could come home or not and what else was about to come. I didn‘t feel comfortable any more and that‘s why we flew back after 3 days. We arrived on Wednesday evening and when we arrived on Thursday Donald Trump already closed the boarders in the USA. And then I read the headline: „100 Swiss people are stuck on the Maldives.“ If we would have stayed one more week than planned there wouldn‘t have been a problem, but you never know.

And since then you have been - just like everyone else - at home.

Exactly. There was no desire for me to make another trip abroad in this time. It probably wouldn‘t be easy to motivate myself at the moment when suddenly a tournament would take place. It would probably come automatically, I would adjust to it, but right now I don‘t really miss it.

When have you been the last time that long in Switzerland?

There have been longer stages in the past, in years for example when I didn‘t travel to Indian Wellls and Miami but surely not 3 consecutive months. There was a longer break when Roger cancelled the season in 2016. Everything was normal until Wimbledon, afterwards I was at the Olympic Games in Rio and at the Davis Cup in Uzbekistan. In November we already started the practice in Dubai.

Have you now got to know the region around Thun better?

In the beginning we have been a lot at home, then did a walk from time to time but it weren‘t any extensive hiking trips. We tried to follow the requirements, did 2, 3 small trips, for example with the goddaughter of Claudia to Gantrischseeli in Bernese Oberland. With time we also met a few friends again with keeping distance. Since one month I‘m clearly more out and about, surely 3 days a week. It doesn‘t get boring for me.

And during lockdown?

No, not at all. When we have been in the situation we didn‘t have a choice and also no guilty conscience. Lockdown took us away options somehow. That can be difficult but sometimes it‘s not that bad when you have fewer options. I tried to use the time positive and of course also thought about certain things.

Which for example?

I have to ensure that I don‘t make to many different things and have to consider how the priorities will look like in the future. Where I maybe have to do less so that I can do certain things really good. At the moment I have a few very interesting projects. Roger is of course the most important one and he also needed the most time in the last years. Beside that I have the chance to do other interesting things which are coming up now but maybe won‘t be there later on. But I also have to make sure that it doesn‘t get to complex.

Have you missed something from the tour?

I notice that I have been a bit tired from travelling after all those years. That‘s why I don‘t have the big urge to start quickly. Of course you can‘t say that Corona has been positive, but it didn‘t trouble me. I miss the match situations, to meet the people, but there are other opportunities. With Roger for example I chatted a lot on FaceTime, something which we usually don‘t do often.

You won‘t be in New York. What do you think about the fact that the US Open will take place?

There are so many different interests from sponsors, tournament organizers, players, TV. I understand it, everyone has to earn money. The TV rights for the Grand Slams, that‘s really „big business“, that‘s why they have to do it. And also the players are pushing, they want to play if it‘s healthwise possible. Maybe it is right for the beginning. At first I thought it would take longer, the loosenings came surprisingly fast for me. I trust that the right decisions are being made and subordinate. Of course the players also have to make compromises this year: Not everything is perfect, they aren‘t in Manhattan, there won‘t be a crowd. Many people in general are just happy that they can watch tennis again.

Has Roger‘s injury come at the best possible time?

I think so. If someone has an injury, 2020 was an ideal year in retrospect, especially considering the rankings. It doesn‘t have a big influence on him personally though. He isn‘t the person who is sitting at home, being frustrated and thinking: They are playing but I can‘t.

Is the situation comparable with the one from 2016?

There are certain parallels for sure. Both times he had surgery, both times there was a setback in rehab and in both cases it was obvious, that it would need more time to get back to 100%. Maybe he can benefit a bit from 2016 this time. From day 1, when he decided to cancel the season, he was looking ahead. He directly switched, there weren‘t any doubts. You immediately felt the joy that he can now spend more time with the family and the other positive aspects.

That is one of his secrets of success, right?

Absolutely. He is just like this as a person, he doesn‘t have to talk himself into believing it. There have to fit many factors together though. When the positive goes into carelessness and the ambition is missing, the whole puzzle doesn‘t work. His mixture is something really special: He is very ambitious, but also cheerful, such combination you don‘t find that often.

Many say that the Corona break would especially be good for older players. Others on the other hand state that the clock is ticking faster for them in this time. How do you see it?

It‘s a fact that the older players for example have an opportunity less for a Wimbledon title. You always have to use it as a chance though, no matter if younger or older, and I think that the break is good for the older players in general. They can cure the little ailments and free their mind. I also believe that they will be able to handle the break better due to their experience as they know when it counts. The negative aspect for an elder player is clearly that it takes longer until the engine keeps going again.

There are fans who fear that Roger will like the „sporty early retirement“ so that he will stop sometime in the second half of the year.

My feeling is absolutely that this won‘t be the case at all. He still loves the life on the tour a lot. Nearly every player says at some point that he needs to go home as he would need a break. I haven‘t heard this once from him in all the years. He makes it pleasant for himself on the tour, he knows many people, has friends everywhere. But of course you can‘t rule it out 100%.

Back to you personally: There can‘t possible be an improvement to Roger Federer for a coach. Is this a problem for you?

It‘s of course an issue, I will have to look for new challenges at some point. I can‘t imagine that there is something better for a coach than him. First and foremost he is a super guy, come a close second that he is the player, who he is. And as a coach you prefer to win of course than to lose. We are always at the biggest and most beautiful places, everything is top organized. You never get overlooked by transport, you always get a practice court and have privileges. Adding to this Roger is Swiss. I‘m a patriot and it‘s fantastic for me to be together with a Swiss. Then there is the organizationally: When I practice with him somewhere in Switzerland, I always drive home in the evening, which really helps and makes things easier.

Some day Roger‘s career will be over. How will things continue for you?

I don‘t rule out that I will coach a player again, but also try to open my eyes for other things. It‘s interesting times. I know many people, have good connections and a few exciting projects going in the fields sport and economy. But nothing is ripe for discussion yet.

Long-term-prognosisses are difficult, nevertheless the question: Will tennis stay an important part of your life forever?

Due to tennis I have a big privilege in general. I never feel that I have to go to work, I always have fun. Today I say that I don‘t want to work as a coach with a player when I‘m 60 years old. But maybe I will think differently about it at some point. Maybe I realize: I know best about this, have the best opportunities, have a lot of passion. I already know this: I was a professional until nearly 20, then did a business training and considered whether I would try it again. I got the vocational school-leaving certificate instead and started to study economics. Soon I realized though that sport fascinated me way more. And it never left me since then.

Do you somethimes have anxieties about the future?

No, not really, but it would be dangerous to say that everything will be a sure-fire success. I have respect, also think that I‘m humble but a key question is clearly, if I will be able to find something for which I will have the same passion.
Does this passion also have disadvantages?

I would say it differently: It is more intensive, more emotional, you always add more miles. It is way more pleasant though than when I would have an unsatisfying task and could turn off the mobile phone at 5 p.m.

Time to change the topic. What does the name Jürgen Zopp say to you?

He‘s the #1 of Estland, our next opponent in Davis Cup and he was once in the Top 100.

Have you already scouted him?

No, that wasn‘t possible yet and at the time, where we are having this interview, it isn‘t clear yet when this encounter takes place. We are favorite when we will play with the best possible equipe, without Roger and Stan.

In 2014 you won the Cup, with the victory in the final in Lille. Since then it went downhill, right now Switzerland plays in a lower category. Do you still like your task?

Of course without Roger and Stan everything is different. The first years after the title victory were okay, we stayed quite long with the team we had in the world group, lately there were a few consecutive losses. But sure: I prefer to win than to lose and like to play for the title. We are far away from this right now, we don‘t have the team for it. My ambition is to give the young players a piece of advice for life.

At the moment you help the top junior player Jerome Kym. Why?

I‘m convinced that he is at an important stage and needs help right now. I try to help with words and deeds as good as possible but of course I can‘t give him as much time as Roger. The main goal is that he finds an optimal set-up. It isn‘t clear yet in which direction this will go.

The 4 Swiss U18 new hopes – Kym and the one year older Leandro Riedi, Dominic Stricker, Jeffrey Von der Schulenburg – are going individual ways now. Is there something which everyone of them absolutely needs in order to be successful?

There are certain rules in top sport. The next years will show how much passion everyone of them has. Hard work pays off, I‘m convinced of this, but there also has to be patience. Everyone is a bit different, everyone has other problems. The goal is, which also says Swiss Tennis, to bring the young players to a point where they can take their own responsibility. One has to look out that you don‘t do this to early and therefore burn out someone. Everyone has other qualities, has to make sure that he improves them and to make up for his personal weaknesses. I‘m convinced that you have to improve your qualities in the first place. You win with them, but when the wholes are to big, it doesn‘t work.

by **Cromar** Sun Sep 13, 2020 5:01 pm

Roger Federer's coach Severin Lüthi says: "Retirement was never a subject of discussion"

Roger Federer has not played competitive tennis for seven months because of two knee surgeries. At the beginning of October he will return to the court to prepare for his comeback. His coach Severin Lüthi says: "We will have to watch closely how his body reacts to the stress of the competition."

Interviews with Severin Lüthi Ffe0f7cf-8ed1-4acd-9351-9f3be4d613e0

Interviews with Severin Lüthi Ffe0f7cf-8ed1-4acd-9351-9f3be4d613e0

Want to take enough time to build up form: Roger Federer (right) and his coach Severin Lüthi.
Alexandra Wey / Keystone

Daniel Germann, Neue Zurcher Zeitung[/size]
12 September 2020

Roger Federer was originally scheduled to return to the court in mid-August. But to this day you have not resumed competition training. Is there a problem with the operated knee?

No not at all. Rehabilitation goes normal. As with everyone, there are good days and bad days after a surgery. Roger started physiotherapy the day after the operation. And for some time now he has been working again with his fitness trainer Pierre Paganini. At the moment the focus is on achieving full physical fitness again. Don’t forget: He last competed on the court at the beginning of February. The break was significantly longer than in 2016 when he broke off the season after Wimbledon. It is important that Pierre Paganini and Daniel Troxler (the physiotherapist) coordinate their work well. I myself have only had sporadic contact with Roger in the past few weeks.

When will he be returning to the court?

Of course he hit a few balls from time to time - just to feel the ball and the raquette. But this wasn’t really training. Our plan is to be back on the court regularly from the beginning of October. Because one thing is clear: he needs training hours on the court before his comeback. The important phase follows in October, November and December. We still have enough time.

The Corona pandemic is currently limiting us all. Where will these trainings take place?

We start in Switzerland and then look further. The Corona virus forces us all to remain flexible.

There are lots of speculations on the social networks. Some saying that Federer was preparing his quiet retreat. Have there been such thoughts?

I haven't heard anything about that yet. Retirement was never a serious subject of discussion. But as I said: Roger wants to take his time. We agreed from the start not to let ourselves be stressed. We have set up a provisional schedule. But it was also clear: We will not stubbornly hold on to this. If Roger needs a few more weeks to set up, he'll take it. Physical fitness is the basis for playing tennis successfully. That is currently the focus.

And yet you have pondered how Federer will be preparing his comeback. Can you comment on that?

As I said: Much is still open and will also depend on the course of the pandemic. Whether he will play a tournament, the ATP Cup or a few exhibition matches before the Australian Open has not yet been determined and is also not decisive. It would also be unwise to say now: Roger is playing here or there. That only limits him in his planning.

Only four years have passed since his last break. But Federer turned 39 on August 8th. Does that change the way you prepare for the comeback?

It's not so much the age as the length of the break. He will not have played competitively for almost a year in early January. That's a long time even for an exceptional athlete like him. Inactivity after an operation also causes muscles to break down. So when he resumed training he had to start below zero, so to speak. But Roger's advantage is that Pierre and Dani know him extremely well. They work with him for years. They both know exactly what Roger needs and how much he can strain his body. Daniel Troxler in particular was an important contact person for him in the first few weeks after the operation.

In 2017, on his last comeback, Federer won the Australian Open straight away. That now shapes the expectations. How heavy is that a burden for him?

Roger has the gift of not placing undue weight on what is said or written. If he reads something wrong once, then he can leave it as it is. It may sound like an empty phrase, but he really focuses on himself. Let's be honest: what he did in Melbourne in 2017 was nearly a miracle. To win one of the biggest tournaments with practically no competition practice, that was extraordinary. Federer is an exceptional talent. But his competitors are all very good tennis players. The younger ones in particular are constantly improving. You can see that at the US Open right now.

Will he have to reduce his ambitions?

Roger likes to be the favorite. For years he went to a tournament with the conviction: If you want to beat me, you have to show something extraordinary. But it can also have advantages to compete with lower expectations and, above all, without pressure.

Before the knee injury and arrival of the Corona virus, Federer had an extremely ambitious program for 2020. In addition to all four major tournaments, he also wanted to play at the Olympics. Will he stick to this program for 2021?

I think Roger is at a point in his career today where he can take the right to remain flexible and make short-term decisions. We will have to watch closely how his body reacts to the stress of competition. Besides, nobody can say at the moment how the pandemic will develop. Yes, like Wimbledon, the Olympics are a fixture for him in the coming season. But at the same time he will not allow himself to be put under pressure by a single appointment.

How close has he been to the tennis scene in the past few weeks? For example, did he follow the US Open?

We don't have daily contact. But every now and then he text me, pointing out something that shows me that he is following what is happening. But Roger was never a player who followed the games to see how his opponents are playing and what progress they have made. He still watches tennis today because he loves the sport. It was nice for him and his family to spend some time in Switzerland again.

Source: Neue Zurcher Zeitung
Translated By @DorisLaRubia Twitter

by HeartoftheMatter Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:52 am

Very good to read Luthi's thoughts regarding his own situation and Roger's. What a good fit they are, and as they have known each other, there must be a really good understanding between them. Actually both of them seem to have very balanced outlooks on what is possible land what is not, and they are flexible in their approach and expectations. A down to earth kind of personality that Luthi is, he is an aspiring one nonetheless. Such long-term involvements do wonders for both of them.
That Roger is so sensible, yet without giving up; enthusiasm is quite striking. His kind of personality would stand its place in many other types of endeavours, and it is particularly well suited to very competitive sports arena where mentality is so important to success.
Luthi seems low key but to the point, with a lot of intelligence toward the sport and its mechanism, as well as the dynamics of competitive tennis.
A strong coach and generally strong supporter are very important to Roger's success, along of course with Mirka, and Ivan. The personal element must be an important ingredient for both
Roger and Luthi.

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Interviews with Severin Lüthi