Federer Needs a Coach - Now

Roger Federer is by any measure one of the greatest athletes alive today.

To list his records, including 12 Grand Slam wins in tennis, would take several pages. Here are only a few recent accomplishments:

By winning Wimbledon in 2007, Federer also tied Björn Borg's open era record of five consecutive Wimbledon championships.

He is the only player ever to have won both Wimbledon and U.S. Open for four consecutive years.

He is also considered a great sportsman and a wonderful, sweet fellow.

His recent output has not been so legendary.

He bombed out in the first round the other day at the season-ending Masters tournament in Shanghai, a contest he was won the last 3 yeras in a row.

"World No.1 Roger Federer is eager to prove he's not slipping after losing consecutive tennis matches for the first time in four-and-a-half years.

Federer lost to No.7 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 4-6 7-6 7-5 today at the Masters Cup to snap his 15-0 record in round-robin play at the season-ending tournament.

It also was the defending champion's first loss in 11 meetings against Gonzalez."

His behaviour in the above match was a throwback to his old teen years of throwing tantrums and berating judges.

What does this all mean?

Possibly nothing.

Tiger had an abysmal streak or two - each time his critics crying that it was all over - and came back with roars. Last year he played as well and as successfully as any in his career.

Breet Favre is having the best year a quarterback in his late 30's has ever had.

And as Federer has already proved to be a great champion, he may indeed bounce back next year and be even better.

But one fact is glaring - he has no coach.

There is no man of tennis age and wisdom pointing out to Federer the simple deficiencies that will creep into all our games.

Playing at his level without a coach is vanity.

I love watching Federer play. I will love it even more when he smartens up, gets a coach and returns to his glorious form.