Federer upbeat as grand slam beckons

Roger Federer is confident of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slam titles at the same time.

He takes on nemesis Rafael Nadal in tomorrow’s French Open final, at Roland Garros, and will have to unseat the defending champion to reach his target.

The pair have met in three title showdowns this year, with the Spaniard outfoxing the Swiss in each of them.

Nadal beat Federer in February’s hard-court event in Dubai, and then on clay at Monte Carlo and Rome.

The Italian final was particularly thrilling, with Nadal prevailing on a fifth-set tie-break.

Nadal is king of the clay with a record 59 straight victories on the surface, however after prevailing at Wimbledon and the US Open last year, and the Australian Open at the start of this season, Federer is just one victory shy of an historic achievement.

Among the men, only Laver, in 1963 and 1969, and Don Budge in 1938, have won Grand Slams. They both achieved the feat inside a calendar year, and if Federer does beat Nadal tomorrow, that would become an obvious goal.

“Here I have the feeling I am very strong at the moment, especially on clay,” said the 24-year-old top seed.

“Those matches with Nadal in Monte Carlo and Rome toughened me up, that’s why I am very positive.”

He has yet to beat Nadal on clay and the Spaniard has won five of their six meetings overall.

Federer says the key to tomorrow’s encounter will be mental strength.

“I’m looking forward to playing good tennis because so far it’s been good to me and I am coming rested,” said the world number one.

“I also have no doubt the physical side of things will be important, but the most crucial will be how both of us can cope mentally.

“That’s why I am very glad to have had a day’s rest to prepare on that mental point point of view.

“It is going to be a big day for me, so I’ve been training well. I feel fit.

“I think everything is going according to plan and I am trying to relax.

“In any case, I am delighted to play this final.”

Nadal, the number two seed who turned 20 earlier in the tournament, has looked unbeatable this fortnight.

He broke Guillermo Vilas’ record with a 54th consecutive clay-court win in the first round against Sweden’s Robin Soderling.

He has also never lost at Roland Garros after winning the title at the first attempt last year.

Nadal will not accept he is favourite against Federer, who has won all his grand slam finals.

“Winning so many matches on clay gives a lot of confidence,” said the Spaniard.

“Fifty-nine victories in a row is an unbelievable record for me.

“But Roger is the number one and he is the one who is under pressure because if he wins, he will have won the Grand Slam.

“I will do my best and I feel very relaxed at the moment but I am pretty sure I will be a bit nervous.”

Nadal does not plan on making any changes to his approach before, or during the match.

“I will prepare the same way as from any other match,” he added.

“I like to follow my routine. It’s the same with my game. If you try to do something different, that’s the best way to play badly.

“I will play my usual tennis. I might just try to attack a little bit more and be more aggressive to try to take control of the match, that’s all.”