In an interview to El Independiente, Jose Higueras recalled his working relationship with Roger Federer in 2008, when the Swiss player reached the French Open final losing to Rafael Nadal in straight sets, 6-1 6-3 6-0. “When I started working with Federer, he was coming from a mononucleosis, it was not the first time I faced such a situation, a tennis player coming from an illness, it’s not an excuse, but you have to remember that it takes 18 months for the body to be clear again and he was a little-fatigued heading into that French Open.

It was impossible to beat Rafa that year“, said the Spaniard. Higueras praised Federer’s humanity and his passion for tennis. “He asked me to be with him 15 weeks a year, which supposed that I would exclusively work with him, but then the USTA (United States Tennis Association)’ offer came and improving the tennis of that country excited me.” On the new Davis Cup format, Higueras complained about the absence of home ties.

He also hopes the change will improve tennis and will not just be about political or economic interests. “The new Davis Cup will triumph only if the best rackets play.” Higueras feels confident about the younger players’ chances to win the biggest titles in tennis especially once Federer, Nadal and Djokovic retire from the professional tour.

Higueras, a former Federer’s coach, said: “They will finish one day and these trophies will be there for anything who wishes them, you have a new generation, pretty talented where Zverev, Tsitsipas and Tiafoe stand out, although in order to defeat them you have to strengthen your character, making a daily effort to improve.” “When I went to the United States I started enjoying tennis much more, I started training other concepts because I was playing freer, I felt I could experiment, learn and improve without depending on the result too much.”