Federer's ex-coach backs Swiss ace to regain 'greatness' despite current 'odds'

The former coach of Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has said that greatness is yet within the reach of the 17-time Major winner despite the odds and his recent failures on courts.

Paul Annacone lost his roster spot on Federer's team last week, with Federer nearing the end of his worst season as a tennis superstar given that the only tournament victory came on grass in Halle, Germany, which is on the lowest rung of the ATP tournament ladder.

According to the New York Times, one school of thought is that Federer's big-game hunting days are over with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray and others being too fresh, too fast and too hungry for an aging Federer.

However, Annacone still favors the theory that says extreme talent with sharply defined goals will eventually find a way again, saying that Federer is open to new ideas and is adaptable, which is not always common with great players or great athletes because they tend to be very stubborn.

Stating that Federer's tendency to listen, communicate and debate is one of his biggest assets, Annacone also said that there would be a catalyst for Federer to force him to look at the skill sets and the talent level in a new way and make him contend for major titles again.