‘I think Roger Federer’s maturing process allowed it to happen,’ says senior coach

In his second consecutive ATP Tour final, Marin Cilic achieved the grand prize: by defeating Taylor Fritz 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4, the Croatian lifted the champion title at the St. Petersburg Open and arrived to the 20th trophies in his career.

At 33, Cilic claimed the second ATP Tour trophy of the season after claiming the crown on the grass in Stuttgart a few months ago. To reach the final, Cilic had to overcome tough obstacles, surviving three sets against Karen Khachanov in the round of 16 and another three against Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarterfinals.

Cilic had great memories of St. Petersburg. In the Russian city he managed to lift the cup in the 2011 edition, something that he has replicated in 2021. With Fritz dominating the ATP Head2Head between the two 1-0, after the victory he achieved against the Croatian in Indian Wells 2017, the Croatian He came out ready to close the gap with his rival, taking advantage of the good streak he has accumulated.

Cilic showed a granite decision in the important moments of the first round, shining in the tiebreaker against a Fritz who put everything on his side to get the victory. Thanks to his aggressive play, the one that has historically defined him, the Croatian was able to drop the first set on his side, clearing the way to the title by hitting his opponent first.

Far from giving up, Fritz fought a battle. The American, strengthening thanks to his serve, tied the game by taking the second set with a decisive break, which he achieved when he was 5-4 on the scoreboard. Throughout the years, tennis fans have seen the greatness of Roger Federer.

He has a special aura to him that is second to none. However, at the end of the day, he is just a human being and possesses qualities like any other.

Fans have seen the emotional side of Roger Federer

His former trainer Paul Annacone recently spoke on this topic and revealed how they decided to do what is necessary.

The 58-year-old stated: “I think his maturing process allowed it to happen. I asked Roger Federer about it when we were together years ago and I asked him if it was something that someone said or a coach or his parents or whatever.

He said it was a bit of a lot of things and he said that I finally realized that if I’m this emotional and those things can get me off the rails, then I can’t think about what’s going on there. .

The former coach added: “I used to say that I need a way to find a solution and I can’t find solutions if I’m really excited and things are going wrong. I need to know how to handle emotions and be disappointed, but not let it ruin the rest of the game and be happy and not let it ruin the rest of the game.

So I basically made the decision myself after getting a ton of feedback for myself as well as hearing it from his parents and hearing from other coaches, but he really said that he was the one who just pushed and changed and said I have to improve. in this “. .

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