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Federer’s decision to hire a coach…..

Make this a habit starting freaking today, OK tomorrow.

Gulp down a glass of warm water first freaking thing after you wake up in the morning. It will not only break the over eight hour water fast you have been on, it will also improve time spent on the throne.

What is Sampras’s feeling on Anaconda joining Federer?

The further away Federer gets from No. 14, Sampras’s sparkle will dampen proportionately. Sampras is still rationalizing No. 15 and 16 with Nadal’s absence – an argument many feel has only gained strength with Nadal’s current run.

Add that with that certain knowledge Sampras has of Anaconda’s ability to turn things around and you have to doubt whatever politically correct BS comes out of Sampras when questioned on this.

Just being passed is painful enough but to have your former coach play a massive part in adding to the trauma is like adding insult to injury, don’t you think?

The ONLY factor that may soften the impact is if Sampras can somehow be guaranteed of Federer’s eternal friendship in exchange – and complete boycott of Agassi. Federer knows exactly where Sampras is among other US tennis greats. Last exho with Agassi removed any doubts if there were any.

Bottom line: Sampras has no friend and is looking for Federer to fill that void. If Federer agrees, not only will Sampras have a companion it will be like revenge against other US players vying for Federer’s good graces – shamelessly. This dynamic is pretty close to where Federer himself is vis-a-vis Woods – despite the scandal.

So Federer should make a deal with Sampras to close another one – in a hurry.

Isner-Mahut in condom commercial. Shouldn’t it be more about that additional size it comes in now?

The 20 highest-earning International athletes. From Claire. Thanks.

CLAIRE

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Federer ‘attempts’ to hire a coach – again. Is that good or bad?

For starters, the timing of the two stabs so far point to a position of weakness Federer appears to be descending from. Last experiment with Darren Cahill was right after he lost to Nadal at the AO final in 2009. That ‘backfire’ could very well have played a significant part in Federer hesitating to pull the trigger again lot earlier this time. (like after losing at the AO this year?).

Translation: The desperation has reached breaking point allowing the pain to exceed the shame in going for it again after that snub from Cahill.

Additionally it seems Federer feels he has tried everything within his control now and this is his LAST straw. If that really is the case, ANY coach is looking at an uphill mountain from the get go with an occasional flash intermittently. That scenario leaves very little for ANYONE to work with. You can bet Annaconda will be there sniffing for that vibe during this test period. If not he may just call Cahill to learn it straight from the horse’s mouth.

For rock people, Anaconda was Sampras’s coach and unless Sampras is solidly behind this move, Anaconda on his own may just suddenly feel the need to ‘be with his family’ too. Clearly, there’s something that goes amiss after the coach spends that test period around Federer as they don’t back out at the initial invitation. If this was clearly the case first time around, shouldn’t Federer have demanded skipping the test period and taken the plunge right away?

After all, the guy has credentials but more importantly with the current southward journey you are on, you don’t have very many options. Just Cahill’s withdrawal was considered a kiss of death for Federer as far as attracting another credible body was concerned. If this fails it may just ‘bump’ up to a passionate intercourse.

Bottom line: Smart thing was to lock in without any option or mention of a test period. Unless of course if it was asked for by Anaconda himself. If it was, then this could be even more fluid than the first one – with an even stronger hit to the ego already teetering on brink of collapse.

But Anaconda may also consider the fact that after Cahill dumped Federer, Federer went on to win the FO, No. 15 and 16. However the circumstances surrounding those milestones may take away some or all of the thunder from that argument.

Either way, there’s no doubt that from Federer’s point of view this decision cannot hurt. It may not however be the same for Anaconda as he is just coming on the open market after being close to being released from Lawn Tennis Association. There may be far more lucrative offers he may be overlooking if he locks himself with Federer for a few years.

I feel Federer wanted to clear the last frontier before seeking outside help and in a way admitting to being ‘defeated’. That last frontier was grass AND the five set format. He is very close to being that ‘hat in the hand’ player now – a position not very comfortable for a person of his stature and ego.

Bottom line: This is Federer’s last shot at redemption. He cannot miss this. All the more reason that Federer shouldn’t have left it open unless Anaconda absolutely demanded it.

Federer hires a coach? From Claire. Thanks.

CLAIRE

From Federer’s website:

OFF COURT – ROGER TO DO TEST WITH PAUL ANNACONE

Dear Fans

I’ve been looking to add someone to my team and I’ve decided to spend some days with Paul Annacone. As Paul winds down his responsibilities working for the Lawn Tennis Association, we will explore our relationship through this test period. Paul will work alongside my existing team and I am excited to learn from his experiences.

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