Federer splits with coach

May 13, 2007, 0:51 GMT

Basel, Switzerland - World No. 1 Roger Federer and Tony Roche have mutually decided to end their 2 1/2 year long part-time coaching arrangement.

During the time Roche was coaching Federer, the Swiss rolled through nearly every major tournament, but he is mired in one of his worst career slumps.

Federer began the season with a repeat title at the Australian Open without dropping a set, his 10th career Grand Slam crown in 11 finals. He also won the Dubai Tennis Championships a little more than two months ago, but is a mortal 7-4 in his last 11 matches and has failed to win any of his last four tournaments. He was shocked by Italian wild card Filippo Volandri in straight sets on Thursday at the Italian Masters.

'I thank Tony very much for his efforts over these last years, during which I appreciated the 12-15 weeks per season we would work together,' Federer said in a statement on his Web site. 'I am also grateful for the sacrifice he made, traveling so far from his home in Australia and leaving his family.'

The mighty Swiss has only reached one final in his last four events, and he lost to the two-time defending Rome champion Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo. This marks the worst stretch of Federer's career since he reached No. 1 in February of 2004.

© 2007 The Sports Network