Federer rules out coaching for now

Roger Federer says he is not ready to coach tennis due to family and other projects, but left open a future role in mentoring or television.

Roger Federer has ruled out a move into coaching for the immediate future. The 20-time Grand Slam champion made the comments during a press conference at the International Tennis Hall of Fame induction weekend on Friday.

Federer said his current priorities are his family and other commitments. "Coaching at the minute, no, just because I'm too busy and kids need my undivided attention, plus I have too many projects, and I love my time and my life with my wife, so I don't wanna change that at the minute," he stated.

However, the Swiss legend did not completely close the door on the possibility. He pointed to the example of his own former coach, Stefan Edberg, who also did not plan to coach. "Never say never," Federer said. He acknowledged that a serious coaching role would require a major time commitment, being available for roughly twenty to twenty-five weeks a year for tournaments.

Television and mentoring possibilities

Federer suggested a television role might be a more live possibility than coaching, though he was non-committal. "Don't know. Kind of was into it, thought of maybe one day, when I was talking in London, in my retirement speech," he said. "Feel very comfortable now, that's not commentating, but who knows."

The clearer and more immediate interest for Federer lies in mentoring younger players. He expressed a strong desire to support the next generation outside of a formal coaching box. "I would love to still support in some shape or form, juniors and mentoring down the road.

I'm always open for that," Federer explained. He added he would be willing to help through Swiss tennis or academies, including Rafael Nadal's, if needed.

He said attending several tournaments each year helps him stay connected and consider future roles. "I would like to give back to the sport."

Preparing a Hall of

Fame speech

Federer also discussed his approach to writing his Hall of Fame induction speech, set for Saturday. He revealed he deliberately avoided watching past induction speeches to maintain his own unique perspective. "I did not watch many of the Hall of Fame speeches, same as Dartmouth, just because I didn't want to be affected by what has been said and what they have done," he said.

"I just wanted to come in and have my own take on what I wanna say."

He admitted the writing process was challenging. "For me personally, it wasn't very straightforward where I wanted to go with the speech."

Federer described the pressure of the occasion as similar to speaking in front of family. "It's nerve-wracking. It feels like the tennis world is watching, and how do you explain it, it's like your family watching," he said. He concluded by linking his speech preparation to his career philosophy, stating, "I want it to be my career, and not someone else's, or a copy of someone else's."

Source: Tennis Majors