Top 10 ATP player claims he would love to add Roger Federer to his coaching team

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Roger Federer inspired millions during his time on the ATP Tour, winning 20 Grand Slam singles titles.

The Swiss phenom made his ATP debut in 1998 and won his first tour-level title in Milan just three years later.

Grand Slam success followed shortly after, as Federer won Wimbledon in 2003, taking down Mark Philippoussis in the final.

Before retiring from tennis in 2022, Federer added 19 more Major titles to his collection, more than any male player not named Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.

With such a wealth of experience, it should come as no surprise that many of Federer’s contemporaries dream of adding him to their coaching teams, as one top ten star now reveals his thoughts on the 43-year-old.

Alex de Minaur says he would love to add Roger Federer to his coaching team

Appearing as a guest on the Iguales podcast, world number seven Alex de Minaur was asked to name anyone from the world of tennis he’d like to add to his coaching set-up.

“I think maybe Roger [Federer],” he said.

“He’s one of the people I watched on TV when I was growing up. I always admired him, I’ve always loved the way he played. How easy he made tennis look.

“I had the opportunity to play against him in a final in Basel. He really schooled me, but even so, I enjoyed the moment a lot.”

Federer and De Minaur faced off in their only career meeting in the final of the Basel Open six years ago.

Winning his 103rd and final ATP title, Federer dropped just 18 games all tournament as he celebrated in front of his home fans one last time.

• 2019 Basel Open F – Roger Federer beat Alex de Minaur, 6-2, 6-2
• 2019 Basel Open SF – Roger Federer beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-4, 6-4
• 2019 Basel Open QF – Roger Federer advanced via walkover
• 2019 Basel Open 2R – Roger Federer beat Radu Albot, 6-0, 6-3
• 2019 Basel Open 1R – Roger Federer beat Peter Gojowczyk, 6-2, 6-1

Federer retired from tennis three years later, upon the conclusion of the Laver Cup tournament.

Speaking in an interview after his retirement, the 20-time Major champion was asked whether he’d consider becoming a coach in the future.

“Coaching, I mean, never say never,” said Federer.

“Stefan Edberg said the same, he will never coach, until he got the phone call from me and I invited him over for practice and he said ‘ok, let me try for a year’.

“At the moment, with my four children going to school and everything going on, I don’t see myself coaching at the moment. If a junior comes around and he needs some support or advice, I’m happy to do that.”

Alex de Minaur is on course to become a top five player in 2025

Federer likely won’t be joining De Minaur’s coaching team any time soon, but that shouldn’t bother the Aussie too much as he continues to climb the rankings.

Coached by Adolfo Gutierrez full time, and both Peter Luczak and Lleyton Hewitt on a part-time basis, the 26-year-old has become well-established in the world’s top ten.

In 2025, De Minaur has accumulated the fifth most points of any player on the ATP Tour, clearly outlining his top-five credentials.

He has already recorded some notably impressive performances this year, perhaps none more so than De Minaur’s run to the Rotterdam Open final, where he narrowly came up short against Carlos Alcaraz.

Alex de Minaur’s best results in 2025

• 2025 Australian Open – Lost in QF to Jannik Sinner
• 2025 Rotterdam Open – Lost in F to Carlos Alcaraz
• 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters – Lost in SF to Lorenzo Musetti
• 2025 Barcelona Open – Lost in QF to Carlos Alcaraz

Only time will tell if De Minaur’s form will continue, and he can break through into the top five later this year.

De Minaur is scheduled to return to action in the third round of the Madrid Open against Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday, April 29.