Roger Federer hires Stefan Edberg to join Eighties tribute band

Roger Federer and Stefan Edberg in 2012 - Edberg is joining Federer's coaching team (Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images)

Roger Federer has become the latest player to recruit a 1980s great, with Stefan Edberg joining the former world No 1’s coaching team.

Federer invited six-time Grand Slam champion Edberg to work with him for a few days in Dubai earlier this month and the Swede hinted it could turn into something more permanent.

Now Federer has confirmed he will work with Edberg for a minimum of 10 weeks, starting at the Australian Open in two weeks’ time.

That will also be the first Grand Slam for the new pairing of Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker, while Andy Murray has won both his major titles since hiring Ivan Lendl.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic will meet David Ferrer in the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6, 6-3.

Earlier, Ferrer upset world No 1 Rafael Nadal with a 6-4, 6-4 victory, the fast surface suiting the world No 3 more than his Spanish countryman.

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray finished fifth in Abu Dhabi by beating Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-4 for his first victory since back surgery. The Scot declared himself pleased with the way his back has responded to playing again.

British No 1 Laura Robson has pulled out of next week’s ASB Classic in Auckland with a wrist injury. “She said to me that she’s about 95 per cent and needs a couple of extra days,” said tournament director Karl Budge.