ESTORIL, April 15: World No 1 Roger Federer confirmed on Monday that he will work with new coach Jose Higueras during this week’s Estoril Open in Portugal with the view to teaming up again for the French Open in May.

The 12-time Grand Slam winner, who has not had a coach since splitting with Tony Roche last May, hired the 55-year-old Spaniard to help arrest his worst start to a season since 2000 and improve his claycourt game.

“We’ll have to see how it goes but he will probably stay for another week or so then maybe go back (to the US), come back again after Rome (May 5-11) and maybe stay for the French,” Federer told a news conference.

“We’ll see how it goes from there. Its pretty open at the moment.”

Higueras, a clay court expert who helped American Michael Chang win the French Open at the age of 17 in 1989, reached two French Open semi-finals as a player and also coached former world number one Jim Courier.

“He’s definitely just going to do a few weeks a year, he’s not going to be doing the 30-40 week stuff. I think that’s not what he really wants,” Federer added.

“I think he’s going to do the practice weeks. Similar to the arrangement with Tony (Roche), he is going to come occasionally but first we are going to have to get through this week.”

Federer, who suffered from a stomach virus and mononucleosis earlier in the year, has yet to reach a final this season but said he is on the verge of finding top form again.

“In the beginning of the season I wasn’t playing well because I was sick like a dog, but now its better again. I bounced back, I’m feeling fine again,” Federer said.

“I disagree with those who say I’m playing bad. I’m totally not playing bad. I think I’m on the verge of playing great again.”

The Swiss faces Belgian Olivier Rochus in the first round in Estoril and will also play on the clay of Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg before seeking his first Roland Garros crown.—Reuters