By Nick Butler

Roger Federer is hoping for better fortunes in 2014 his most disappointing year for a decade ©Getty ImagesDecember 27 - Roger Federer has followed rivals Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in appointing a tennis legend as his new coach with the announcement that Stefan Edberg will take up coaching duties ahead of next month's Australian Open.


Federer has endured a disappointing year in which he slipped out of the top three in the world rankings for the first time in ten years.

His bid to revive his fortunes involves following in the footsteps of Murray, who has been coached by Czech Ivan Lendl for almost two years, and Djokovic, who unveiled Germany's Boris Becker as his new coach earlier this month.

As well as being a former world number one, Swede Edberg won six Grand Slams, including the 1988 and 1990 Wimbledon titles, and therefore appears the perfect person to help Federer improve upon his record total of 17 Grand Slams. 

"I am happy to announce that beginning in Melbourne, Stefan Edberg will join Severin Luethi on my coaching team," Federer announced on his Facebook page.

He later added that "Severin, who has been part of my team for the last seven years, will do most of the weeks and Stefan has agreed to work with us for at least 10 weeks starting at the Australian Open in Melbourne." 

"Stefan was my childhood hero, and I am really looking forward to spending time [with] and learning from him."

Stefan Edberg, pictured celebrating his US Open final victory in 1991, will bring plenty of top-level experience ©Bob Thomas Sports Photography/Getty ImagesStefan Edberg, pictured celebrating his US Open final victory in 1991, will bring plenty of top-level experience ©Bob Thomas Sports Photography/Getty Images

This happiness at the appointment was replicated by Edberg himself, who reflected that he is "really excited to be part of Roger's team" and hopes that "together we can bring out his best tennis". 

Federer only won one tournament on the ATP tour in 2013, on grass at Halle, and has not won a Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2012 but will be confident that, with injury troubles reportedly easing and a new coach appointed, a greater year lies ahead. 

The 32-year-old starts his season next week at the Brisbane International, where British rival Murray has been champion for the last two seasons, ahead of the Australian Open later in the month.