During this somewhat fallow phase in the tennis summer, anything to do with Roger or Rafa is guaranteed to create a major buzz.
That happened Monday with news that Roger Federer will be trying out a working arrangement with Paul Annacone, former long-time coach of Pete Sampras and, for a shorter period, of Tim Henman.
Here's how Federer explained it on his website: "I've been looking to add someone to my team and I've decided to spend some days with Paul Annacone. As Paul winds down his responsibilities working for the (British) Lawn Tennis Association, we will explore our relationship through this test period. Paul will work alongside my existing team and I am excited to learn from his experiences."
Chat sites have been overloaded with reactions to the news, speculating about Federer's motives and what it says about his current status in the game.
After quarter-finals losses to Robin Soderling at the French Open and Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon, the naysayers have been rampant, suggesting Federer is on the decline and that Rafael (Rafa) Nadal is now 'the man.'
It is amazing that just 12 months ago the Swiss Federer was the talk of tennis - having just broken through for a first French Open title and then won Wimbledon to set the Grand Slam titles mark at 15 wins. Now, with the losses to Soderling and Berdych, and a drop behind Nadal and Novak Djokovic to No. 3 in the rankings, the Federer negativity vibe has heightened.
But often there can be very little difference between a win and a loss. For example, in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, Federer held a set point in the third set for a two-sets-to-one lead but Soderling saved it with a backhand smash. Had Federer won that point, in cold, rainy, windy conditions, Soderling probably would not have come back and the Swiss's streak of 23 Grand Slam semi-finals in a row would have reached 24.
At Wimbledon, Federer's revelation that back and right-leg injuries affected him during his 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 loss to Berdych was widely viewed as poor form. But you have to believe the injuries played a role in the loss when, in his post-match media conference, he compared it to the result against Soderling. "Today was a different story than Paris," he said. "I mean, I think in Paris conditions were tough. Robin played fantastic. Today was different. You know, I was struggling with my own game and with my physique."
With the Rogers Cup looming in two weeks, things are beginning to set up for a showdown in Toronto and/or at the U.S. Open, where Federer has been in the last six finals, losing only last year's to Juan Martin del Potro in five sets. Nadal, seeming to always be physically beat up by the time Flushing Meadows rolls around, has done no better than two semi-finals - in 2008 and 2009.
He has had his uncle Toni Nadal as his coach his entire career.
What to make of Federer's trial with Annacone, who was with Sampras for nine of his 14 Grand Slam titles?
Except for a brief trial in February, 2008, with Darren Cahill and several months with Jose Higueras as an adviser coach later that same year, Federer has only had three coaches during his best years as a pro - former Swedish player Peter Lundgren until 2003, former Australian player Tony Roche from early 2005 until May, 2007, and, unofficially, Severin Luthi. The Swiss Davis Cup captain has been virtually everywhere with Federer the past three years.
A low-key guy, Luthi will apparently continue to be involved regardless of Annacone's potential role.
Annacone, 47, can certainly bring something to Federer, especially because of his experience with Sampras. It is worth noting that Sampras separated from Annacone for most of 2002, but brought him back in time for his last hurrah at the U.S. Open that year.
So, it is surely a good move. But, one of Federer's strengths has been the stubbornness and individuality that allowed him to go for long periods without a big-name coach. Many of his admirers like the fact that he thumbed his nose at critics who constantly called for the hiring of a high-profile mentor.
With Annacone now possibly in the picture, they may now feel their beloved Roger is about to become a little less of a renegade.