Having seen longtime rival Rafael Nadal tighten his iron-grip on Roland Garros, Roger Federer aims to extend his personal dominance of Wimbledon from Monday by claiming a ninth title at the All England Club. Despite his 37th birthday fast approaching, Federer will still start Wimbledon as the overwhelming favourite to clinch a 21st major.
Federer set new records 12 months ago when he defeated a hobbling Marin Cilic in the final, becoming both the tournament's oldest champion and first to claim eight titles. That came after he decided to skip the entire clay court season, a strategy he repeated this year as the Swiss sit at home watching Nadal romp to an 11th French Open.
"I'm feeling good. I was tired at the beginning of the week because of the nine matches I played in 12 days in Stuttgart and Halle," said Federer who lifted the Stuttgart grasscourt title before losing the Halle championship match to Borna Coric. That loss ended a 20-match win streak on grass for Federer who starts on Monday against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic.
"I think the three months did me again a world of good, that I didn't play during the clay court season." Federer won his first Wimbledon - and maiden Slam title - in 2003.
Since that time he has added seven more at the All England Club with Nadal winning twice, Novak Djokovic three times and Andy Murray taking two titles.Lleyton Hewitt, back in 2002, was the last man outside the modern-day 'Big Four' to win the championship.
Hardly surprising then that Federer cannot see any great upheaval anytime soon, even tipping Nadal - and his notoriously unreliable knees on a grass court - to go deep in the tournament. "I think Rafa is one of the big favourites," said Federer who famously lost the 2008 final to the Spaniard in what is widely regarded as the finest Slam showdown of all time. "When Rafa is healthy, anything is possible for him." Nadal's Grand Slam count now stands at 17, just three behind Federer with whom he has split the last six majors.
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