3 Grand Slams Roger Federer won without a coach ft. Wimbledon 2004

Roger Federer, throughout his illustrious two-decade-long career, earned the kind of respect and admiration that every sportsperson dreams of and works toward. In addition to the same, his mastery over the sport was often to the extent that many believed that he did not always need a coach and knew the game well enough to make the right calls.

The Swiss is a part of the Big Three with 20 major Grand Slam titles, a record eight Wimbledon titles, and 103 titles on the ATP Tour, one of the highest in the Open Era.

Amidst this range of victories, Federer stands out from his contenders in terms of the fact that he achieved some of these feats without being under the guidance of a coach, which greatly reflects the command he has over his game.

In continuation to the same, here is a run-through of some of Federer's first Grand Slam victories in 2004 which he won without a coach:

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#3 2004 Australian Open

Roger Federer was guided by Australian coach Peter Carter who played an integral role in shaping the Swiss' game into what helped him in having the kind of career that he did. Unfortunately, Carter lost his life in a fatal car accident in 2002, following which Federer did not have a coach for the next few years, but that was not something that prevented him from winning titles.

After winning his maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon the previous year, Federer won the Australian Open in 2004 which was his first title in Melbourne and second major Grand Slam victory wherein he defeated Marat Safin 7-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Roger Federer (right) and Marat Safin at the 2004 Australian Open

After a brief stint with Peter Lundgren, the 22-year-old Federer won this title without being under the guidance of a coach but claimed it to not be something he planned.

Speaking about the same, he said (via The Guardian):

"I am not trying to introduce something new. I'm still looking, like a single man."

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# 2004 US Open

After losing the US Open in the fourth round the previous year, Roger Federer defeated Lleyton Hewitt 6-0, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 to win his first US Open title and fourth Grand Slam.

Following this victory, Federer became the first man since 1988 to win three Grand Slams in the same year following which he had four consecutive victories at Flushing Meadows through which he made the record of being the first man in the history of the tournament to have five consecutive wins.

Speaking about his victory in yet another coachless tournament, Federer said (via US Open):

“I never thought I would be sitting here, you know, as a winner, honestly, in my career. Now to have done it, it's very special to me.”

Roger Federer after winning the 2004 US Open

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# 1 Wimbledon 2004

While Peter Lundgren is fondly remembered as the coach who helped Roger Federer win his maiden Wimbledon title, his second consecutive win took place without a coach when he beat Andy Roddick 4–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 6–4 in what seemed like a rematch of the previous year's semifinal.

While two rain delays grossly interrupted the clash, Roddick started the match with a lead but Federer succeeded in getting the better of the American in an intense four-set match, two of which ended with tiebreaks.

After the said victory, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Federer spoke about not working with a coach at that time and the profound impact that Peter Carter had on his game and said:

"My range of shots was a problem. You get a slow ball, and you think, "What am I going to do with this?" If your game is limited, it's simple, you have a shot for each situation and you play it. I had too many options and I had to learn to choose the right shot and the right tactics, not just the most spectacular. I have to admit that when I joined the professional tour, I liked to think I was bringing something special and I would show off..."

Federer believed that Carter made him realize that this was not the way to win tournaments and altered his game to what it is now.

Similarly, while talking about how he feels being the unusual one to travel without a coach, the former World No.1 said:

"I feel so good right now, I can't see why a coach would help, but we'll see what happens later."

Roger Federer after winning his consecutive Wimbledon title in 2004

While Federer has had other coaches like Tony Roche, Severin Luthi, Paul Annaconne, and Stefan Edberg, his other grand slam victories took place while he worked with someone. Nevertheless, it is well-known that none of these coaches could alter Federer's game beyond a level as the Swiss preferred some independence concerning the same, the impact of which can be seen across his 20 Grand Slam victories.