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By Franklin L. Johnson
© Natasha Peterson/Corleve

(July 30, 2010) It's that time of year. That mid-summer reality check when players realize half the season is gone and go searching for that ideal coach, like the lovelorn searching for a summer fling, in an effort to bring some buzz back to their game.

Two of the world's top four players — third-ranked Roger Federer and fourth-ranked Andy Murray — have made coaching changes in the past week and when you factor in Novak Djokovic parted company with co-coach Todd Martin after Indian Wells then three of the world's top four men have made changes this season.

Federer announced he will work with Paul Annacone, Pete Sampras' former coach, on a trial basis. Murray cut ties with Miles Maclagan, his coach of two-and-a-half years saying he could not find common ground with Maclagan and coaching consultant Alex Corretja, who will continue to work with Murray while the Australian Open finalist considers full-time coaching candidates.

"We had, between the three of us, just obviously different ideas and different ways of seeing things, what I felt was beneficial to me and what Miles and Alex felt was beneficial to me," Murray said of the split with Maclagan. "You know, obviously the last few years have gone very, very well. But I want to look to improve and become better, try and get to No. 1 in the world, try and win Grand Slams. I need to be comfortable in the setup that I have and the structure that I have, have a hundred percent confidence that everyone that's working with me believes it's the right thing to do. That's it."

If you're one of those cynics who rolls their eyes and sniffs "Coaches don't matter!" every time the topic comes up then get off your high horse and consider Robin Soderling. Where was Soderling's career before he hooked up with former French Open finalist Magnus Norman in November of 2008?

Answer: Soderling failed to surpass the third round at 19 career majors before hiring Norman. Since getting Magnus on board, Soderling has made successive appearances in the French Open final and finished in the top 10 for the first time last year.

Look at the impact Brad Gilbert had on Andre Agassi's career or Darren Cahills work with both Lleyton Hewitt and Agassi. Yes, a coach, or more accurately the right coach, can make a difference.

How do you explain Murray's decision to put Miles behind him? With the exception of his run to the Australian Open final and last month's trip to the Wimbledon semifinal, Murray has had a horrendous year. With the exception of those two major spikes, Murray has made just three quarterfinals, including today's quarterfinal vs. Alejandra Falla in Los Angeles, in nine other tournament appearances.

When the ship is leaking typically the coach is first man thrown overboard. But Murray, whose extensive entourage rivals the cast of the Love Boat in its size, could fire half of his team and it would not correct the fundamental issue that prevents him from breaking through for his first major: his first serve percentage is too low and he plays passive tennis in major matches.

Until Murray comes to grips with the fact he must be more assertive at crunch time then he can hire a conglomerate of coaches and it still won't help. As smart as he appears to be, Murray apparently never got the memo that the junior game plan of pushing and running won't get it done when it comes to winning majors. Too often, Murray hangs back and waits for the opponent to give up the point. That tactic of trying to coax philanthropy from world-class opponents will only take you so far and so far it hasn't taken Murray to a Grand Slam title.

Too often, Brave Heart plays small ball in major matches.  It's a critical stretch for Murray, who has ranking points to defend during this US Open Series as Rogers Cup champion and a semifinalist in Cincinnati. The good news for Murray is he can pick up some points this week in LA where he should reach the final, he spent time training in the oppressive heat and humidity of Miami and looks to be in prime-time shape and, if he can play more assertive tennis, he should improve on last year's four-round finish at the US Open when he was upset by Marin Cilic.

How do you explain Federer's hook-up with Annacone?

It's called desperation.

Look, Roger had a chance to get Paul into the fold a long time ago and apparently even talked to Sampras about Annacone's coaching style. He let him get away. So, he's paid the price ever since with Rafa eating his entire daily meal schedule.

Well, better late than never. Annacone may be able to coax Federer into coming forward more and using his fine transition skills and net play to exploit his athleticism, shorten points and perhaps even lengthen his career in the proces.

Roger often says he's ready to play attacking tennis, but he never does for very long, especially against Nadal. Working with Annacone, a man who attacked net on the opening coin toss and took up residence there for every ensuing point during his days as a top 20 player, could just give Federer the confidence that he can make the forward march. Then again, Tony Roche, whose backhand volley has been called one of the best in tennis history by none other than John McEnroe, encouraged Roger to attack net more throughout his tenure as coach. While the pair had their share of success, stylistically one could argue Federer did not fully follow Roche's urging to explore the front court.

Annacone could turn out to help spark another Roger Renaissance.

Let's be honest: Federer opened the year winning the Australian Open if he could close it winning the US Open you'd have to call that an immensely successful season despite the fact he's gone 1-3 in finals this year and saw his record Grand Slam semifinal streak snapped at 23 by Robin Soderling in the Roland Garros quarterfinals.

Federer, who has been remarkably injury-free throughout his career, has several productive years left in him and Nadal could always come up lame. I don't know how he plays on those aching knees.

That said, Nadal is clearly the best player in the world and has every incentive to win the US Open and complete the career Grand Slam. If he does, it would be a ninth career Grand Slam singles title for Nadal and suddenly Federer's all-time mark of 16 wouldn't look so unreachable for Rafa.

Based on his current level of play, I don't expect Federer to win in New York though we cannot accurately assess his level of play until seeing him in Toronto and Cincinnati.

This isn't the same as saying Roger can't or won't win. Federer turns 29 on August 8th and is well aware that Nadal and many of the young top 20 players may well only get better and stronger.

Federer knows his days as the dominant player are over and his days of winning multiple majors in the same season may be numbered.

Roger is smart: he simply wants to maximize what he has left to the best of his ability. He also knows no matter how many more majors he wins his record may not stand before the assault from Nadal.

If Federer is willing to listen and actually apply the lessons Annacone is willing to impart, there is no question this coaching partnership can be beneficial. 

Nadal is on a mighty roll right now and even the legendary Federer may not be able to stop him on the hard courts. But Federer has reached six straight US Open finals and the fast track in New York makes it the major most conducive to attacking play.

Annacone helped Sampras reach the 2002 US Open final and don't be surprised if the lanky Long Islander can help Federer find his way back to the Flushing Meadows final.

Tennis Now contributing writer Franklin L. Johnson is a writer, poet and avid tennis player based in New York. He has covered professional tennis for three decades. His recent columns include American Anthem Needs New Tune, Tomas Berdych Played Tame Final and A Case For Vera.