Auger-Aliassime Brings in Federer's Coach Ljubicic to Reverse Post-Wimbledon Slump
Felix Auger-Aliassime announced he has hired Ivan Ljubicic, who coached Roger Federer to three Grand Slam titles between 2016 and 2022, as his new coaching staff member. The move comes after Auger-Aliassime parted ways with long-time coach Frederic Fontang following Wimbledon and subsequently struggled with early tournament exits and limited wins. Ljubicic will retain his advisory position with the French federation, a dual role the federation has confirmed is compatible with his new coaching responsibilities.
Auger-Aliassime's recent form has raised concerns about his ranking stability. Since parting with Fontang in August, the Canadian has won only three matches across six tour-level events, including consecutive losses to Khachanov at major tournaments. With a 36-16 season record and just one title to his name, he now sits 15th in the ATP Race standings despite holding the fifth ranking—a gap that threatens his qualification for the season-ending championship in Turin.
Ljubicic brings substantial pedigree to the role. As a former top-three player with 426 tour-level victories, he mentored Federer through three Grand Slam victories during his six-year tenure and previously coached Raonic. His offensive-minded approach aligns well with Auger-Aliassime's aggressive serve-based game, making the partnership philosophically coherent on the court.
This coaching change may signal whether technical adjustments and elite-level experience can reverse a player's downturn, offering insight into the role coaching plays in professional tennis recovery. For the sport's broader ecosystem, Ljubicic's dual role with both the French federation and an ATP player demonstrates how international tennis bodies navigate potential conflicts while retaining expertise. The hire's success or failure could influence how federations structure advisory positions with active coaching figures.