Roger Federer parted ways with Peter Lundgren at the beginning of 2004 after winning the Masters 1000 event, a Major and the ATP Masters Cup. Roger traveled to Australia without anyone in his box and did a fine job after conquering the title and becoming world no.
1. Heading to Melbourne, Federer was eager to improve his results at the Australian Open and chase the no. 1 spot after missing the opportunity to grab it the previous summer. Roger sailed into the fourth round following victories over the rivals ranked outside the top-100.
Still, more challenging obstacles stood in his way en route to the final. Seeking the third victory over Lleyton Hewitt, Federer took down the home favorite in four sets and reached his first quarter-final at the season’s first Major.
The Swiss avenged the last year’s loss to David Nalbandian, beating the Argentine in four sets and securing a place in the last four. Another young gun, Juan Carlos Ferrero, stood between Roger and the ATP throne. The Swiss produced a steady performance and toppled the Spaniard 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 in an hour and a half.
Thus, he advanced into the second Major final and became the 23rd world no. 1 since 1973. It was the fourth triumph for Roger over Juan Carlos, and he earned it after fending off all four break chances. Ferrero experienced four breaks of serve, doing his best in sets one and three but ending the campaign in the semis.
Juan Carlos was a better player in the lengthy exchanges, but that was not enough to keep him safe. Roger forged his victory in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, dominating with his serve and forehand.
Playing without a coach, Roger Federer reached the final in Melbourne 2004.
Servers marched through the opening six service games, and Roger had to dig deep at 3-3.
He repelled four break chances and earned a break at love at 5-4 to secure the opener. Federer clinched another break in the second set’s second game to increase his advantage, seized another at 4-1 and fired a service winner in game seven to move closer to the finish line.
Roger forged the lead in the third set with a break at 3-3, serving well and emerging at the top with a service winner in the tenth game to become world no. 1 for the first time. Asked if other players would follow his path and opt to play more without a coach in the future, Roger did not care, staying focused on his career and decisions.
“I have no idea if the other players will follow my way and try without a coach; that’s up to them. I do not care what the other guys do; all I care about is my career,” Roger Federer said.
Source: Tennis World USA