Which Czech coach gave Federer early instruction at Old Boys Tennis Club?

Adolf Kacovsky gave Federer early instruction at the Old Boys Tennis Club. The Czech coach worked with Federer from roughly ages 8 to 10 through group training and private lessons.

Kacovsky quickly recognized Federer’s unusual natural ability and helped develop the young player’s fundamentals. Some private lessons were partly funded by the club, reflecting how strongly the coaches believed in his potential. Kacovsky was also a fan of the one-handed backhand, a shot Federer practiced while admiring players such as Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, and Pete Sampras.

At age 10, Federer began working with Peter Carter, an Australian former player who became a major influence on his technique, tactics, and competitive mindset. That change explains a frequent mix-up: Kacovsky was the early Old Boys coach, while Carter was the Australian mentor who guided Federer through much of his next development phase. Later professional coaches included Peter Lundgren and Severin Lüthi.