Former world number one Andy Roddick has hired fellow American Larry Stefanki as his new coach, the player announced on his personal website on Thursday.

Stefanki has previously coached John McEnroe, Marcelo Rios, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Tim Henman and most recently Fernando Gonzalez. Under his guidance both Rios and Kafelnikov reached the world number one ranking.

Roddick, 26, the 2003 US Open champion, is now at number six in the world rankings and suffered a miserable end of season when injury forced him to quit the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

"The timing of this exciting new partnership provides the duo (Roddick and Stefanki) the majority of the off-season to prepare for 2009," said a statement on his website.

Roddick had been working previously with Jimmy Connors.

AFP

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