Federer splits with coach Tony Roche

PARIS: Roger Federer has split with his Australian coach Tony Roche, two weeks before the start of the French Open.   

The world number one made the announcement on his website, thanking Roche for his efforts in coaching him since 2005.    

The decision follows Federer's poor run of form in recent weeks, with the Swiss going four tournaments without capturing a title.   

Federer said: "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.   

"I am also grateful for the sacrifice he made, traveling so far from his home in Australia and leaving his family."   

Federer's association with 61-year-old Roche was not a full-time coaching job but the pair worked together mainly to prepare for Grand Slam tournaments.   

However, the 25-year-old Swiss player is currently enduring one of his most difficult periods in over three years.   

He suffered a shock defeat to the world number 53 Filippo Volandri in Rome this week and has now gone four tournaments without a title, his longest drought since becoming world number one 171 weeks ago.    

His decision to split with Roche comes just two weeks before the clay-court tournament at Roland Garros, the only Grand Slam title he has not won.   

Federer won six of his ten Grand Slams alongside Roche who previously coached players such as Czech Ivan Lendl and Australian Patrick Rafter.