Roger Federer’s former coach leaves to head up FFT: “It's as if Real Madrid haven't won for a long time”

Roger Federer's former coach Ivan Ljubicic has accepted a position at the French Tennis Federation where he'll work to develop French tennis in the coming years.

Ljubicic had a really good career himself and reached a career-high of number three in the world. The Croatian spent the last few years as the coach of Roger Federer after battling him for a long time on Tour and now he's opened a new chapter in his life. He accepted an offer from the French Tennis Federation to join their ranks.

He's been appointed as the director of the 'Ambition 2024' program which he'll oversee the development of 14 national players helping them get better. He will assume his role in January of next year. Asked to explain why he accepted, Ljubicic said:

"It's as if Real Madrid haven't won anything for a long time. In a way, that's also how I started with Roger (Federer), who hadn't won Grand Slam titles for four years. It's a bit the same feeling that drives me. There is enormous potential in your country, with such a large number of young people who play tennis well."

He added:

"My son, who is 14, plays tournaments on the Côte d'Azur, and I see a little of all that. And when I see the boys' world rankings for the French, I just can't believe it. There is something wrong, which is not normal. I have no idea why, and it will be my job to dig deep to analyze and develop some ideas as quickly as possible."

He revealed that it happened after Gilles Moretton approach him with the idea.