Roger Federer Launches Management Firm with His Agent

While Roger Federer is focused on training for the upcoming season, he is also preparing for life after tennis.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion has started a boutique agency with his American agent Tony Godsick. The firm is called Team8 and has already secured Juan Martin del Potro as a client. The young Bulgarian player Grigor Dimitrov is also rumored to have signed with Team8, according to Sports Illustrated.

Team8's website is stark and unrevealing for the time being. The firm is based out of Ohio, and Team8's Twitter bio is simply "Sports & Entertainment". 

Federer and Godsick parted with IMG this summer but without any mention of launching their own venture. Federer is not expected to be an active partner at Team8 while he is still playing. His image has thrived during his long career in the limelight, largely free from any scandal.

The Swiss player's wide appeal and unprecedented success make him an excellent figure to build a brand around. Having him in a key role will make it easy for Team8 to attract athlete clients, but the agency also hopes to represent entertainers, according to The New York Times.  

Federer has plenty to focus on in the near future after his ranking slipped to No. 7 this past season, which is the lowest it has been since 2003. With everything he has achieved, it is remarkable that his ambition on and off the court never seems to flag.

Last year alone, he earned $71 million and holds the record for most prize money won in tennis at just less than $80 million as of the end of the 2013 season. 

At 32 years old, Federer has reached the tennis age where retirement questions plague every press conference and back problems force him to pull out of tournaments. While it will be interesting to see how he fares in business and which clients he attracts, his continued success on court and a strong finish to a peerless career are paramount for his fans.