Why Coaching Change Will Benefit Roger Federer in 2016

’Tis the season for coaching changes in tennis, and the carousel spun in a big way this week.

Via his Facebook page, Roger Federer announced the end of his two-year partnership with coach Stefan Edberg. While not a complete surprise given Edberg’s limited availability and desire to spend time at home, the move still reverberated for the sport’s biggest star.

Edberg, a player Federer idolized growing up, joined the Swiss star’s team at the end of 2013 on a trial basis. They were initially only slated to work together for a few months, but Edberg eventually stayed on for the entire 2014 and 2015 seasons.

From day one, Edberg helped to initiate an even more aggressive style of play. Points were kept shorter in an effort to minimize the wear on Federer’s body and let his natural volleying skills neutralize the baseline prowess of his rivals. He made more of an effort to approach the net and stay on the offensive under Edberg's watch.

That shift in mentality largely paid off. In their two years together, Federer won 11 titles and reached a total of 22 finals, including three at Grand Slam tournaments. His inability to beat Novak Djokovic in those major finals, however, kept him short of his top priority.

Still, Edberg helped Federer add new dimensions to his game (or at least accentuate existing ones) and became another respected member of the camp. Although Federer tried talking him into staying another year, they parted on amicable terms. 

In a statement to ATPWorldTour.com, Edberg reflected on his time working with Federer:

"

Roger and I had a wonderful two years together. When he originally approached me at the end of 2013, I committed to work with him for only a year. It became very clear from the start that this was going to be a special partnership, working with the greatest ambassador tennis has ever seen.  It was exciting for me to be back out on tour and to see that the sport has made so much progress.

"

His departure opened a new spot on Federer's team and left a crucial hiring decision.

Enter Ivan Ljubicic.

A former top player himself, Ljubicic went head-to-head with Federer 16 times during his career and won three of those matches. He possesses a familiarity with his new pupil's game as well as the experience and knowledge of life on the ATP Tour. That's a key factor to any coaching hire.

Chemistry won't be a problem. The two are already friends and former hitting partners, and Federer has spoken glowingly in the past of Ljubicic's wisdom and leadership. He clearly respects Ljubicic, who should bring plenty of fresh insight.

Anonymous/Associated Press/Associated Press

Severin Luthi, the Swiss Davis Cup team captain, will still serve as Federer's main coach and likely travel to most of the events. Ljubicic comes on as an additional sounding board and someone whose presence will mainly be at the bigger tournaments.

Paul Annacone coached Federer from 2010-13, and he believes the incorporation of Ljubicic will be relatively seamless, telling the New York Times’ Christopher Clarey: “What Ljubi is going to bring is familiarity, experience and maybe a little bit of new perspective, which is good sometimes. It will be something new to think about, and at this stage of his career and as open-minded as Roger is, that can be a good thing.”

That last part of what Annacone said is important. You have to admire how Federer is still turning to new people for advice and seeking ways to keep his game from becoming stale. That mindset is a large reason why he's stayed relevant for so long, and this move should give him another boost this upcoming season.

There will no reinventing of the wheel. Federer's uber-aggressive style of play and the SABR (sneak attack by Roger) remain his best tools. But what Ljubicic can bring is new ideas for how to further hone his game, adding more arsenal in his quest to take down Djokovic.

Beating Djokovic on the Grand Slam level is becoming Federer's white whale. He's come so close to ending his major drought and bringing home a 17th title. But Djokovic has his number these days in the best-three-out-of-five set format.

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The world No. 1 is in his absolute physical peak (and six years younger than his foe), so it's no surprise he's been able to outlast Federer in those matches. Whether at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, Djokovic coaxed plenty of errors out of his opponent when it mattered most.

Here is where Ljubicic may be able to help. Known primarily as a baseline player in his own time, he can help in the tactical department and give Federer different ideas to try, especially against Djokovic. Perhaps more than anything, he can simply be a calming presence in the camp and allow Federer to stay on an even keel.

As ESPN's Peter Bodo pointed out, Ljubicic knows Djokovic all too well, as they are friends and neighbors in Monte Carlo. He should be able to provide Federer with some valuable intel on his rival.

Federer, 34, only has a few years left before he rides off into the sunset. With that limited window, as well as his likely last crack at Olympic singles gold next summer in Rio, 2016 therefore takes on added importance for him. But to achieve his goals, Federer needs to find a way to get past Djokovic.

His latest coaching hire should push him closer to doing so.

All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com unless otherwise noted.

Joe Kennard is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow @JoeKennard