Federer to make fresh start in California after Dubai disappointment

By Bill Scott Feb 28, 2011, 8:49 GMT

London - Roger Federer will spend the first half of this week at his Dubai training base occupied with sponsor advert shoots for gold-plated clients before heading to California before the weekend to begin putting the shine back on his tennis.

The Swiss who lost the weekend Dubai final to on-form Novak Djokovic will be seeded second at the first Masters 1000 of the season at Indian Wells, beginning March 9. It will be the venue for the return after injury of world number one Rafael Nadal.

Federer, the 16-time Grand Slam winner, will have to be ready for another barrage of challenges as rivals sense that at age 29 he may not be the immovable force he once was on the court.

'There's not that much time before Indian Wells,' said Federer, who has won four Dubai trophies.

'There is enough time to sort of relax from having played five days in a row again. That can be tricky and tough sometimes after having not played for, what was it, three weeks?

'Thank God my first couple of the matches weren't brutal physically, so I didn't take away too much muscle pain from them. I won't need as much rest maybe as predicted after having played five days in a row. No, I'll get ready and get or the west coast and get ready over there.'

Federer was guided at Dubai by the Swiss half of his coaching team, national Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi. In California he will be on the home ground of his other mentor, Paul Annacone, who watched Dubai from afar and consulted daily with Luthi and Federer.

Federer is quite pleased with the dual relationship which began last summer after Wimbledon when he hired Annacone, former coach to Pete Sampras.

'When Severin is with me I speak with Paul on the phone; when Paul is with me I speak with Severin on the phone,' said the logical Swiss.

'Communication has been good between the three of us. They also talked when they had to. I'm happy with the harmony in the team.'

Despite winning Doha, playing an Australian Open semi against Djokovic and his Dubai final, Federer feels that he just needs a few minor adjustment in his game.

'I feel like I need more practice, just a little bit here and there. It's going to be different conditions again in California. The ball will be flying but it's going to be slower.

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