Federer confident going into Wimbledon

Roger Federer will begin his campaign for a record sixth straight Wimbledon title on the back of his 59th consecutive win on grass.

The world number one equalled Pete Sampras’ record of 10 grass-court titles with his fifth victory in Halle last weekend – his previous four were followed by Wimbledon triumphs three weeks later.

“That’s exactly what I hope for this time,” Federer said. “That’s why I’m so satisfied. That’s why I will go to Wimbledon with a lot of hope.”

Hope rather than expectation? It is no wonder the feeling persists that backing the Swiss star to win in SW19 is no longer the sure thing it once was, with Federer’s air of invincibility eroded by Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open, and then shredded by Rafael Nadal in Paris.

Of course that crushing defeat to Nadal in the French Open final was on clay as the Spaniard took his fourth straight title at Roland Garros, but Nadal has proved he is no slouch on grass either.

The 22-year-old has lost to Federer in the last two Wimbledon finals, but pushed him all the way in a five-set thriller 12 months ago and lifted his first title on grass in the Artois Championships while Federer was winning in Halle.

“It’s nice to see Rafa do the same thing,” Federer insisted. “I think it’s exciting for tennis that we have two, three players at the moment who are regularly in the finals. It looks like they are going to be in great shape for Wimbledon.”

That is certainly true. Nadal triumphed at Queen’s Club just seven days after thrashing Federer in Paris for the loss of just four games.

And the man he beat was none other than Djokovic, the pair also having clashed in the Wimbledon semi-finals last year when the Serbian was forced to retire with blisters on his feet in the third set.

Equally impressively, Nadal also beat grass specialists Ivo Karlovic and Andy Roddick, twice a Wimbledon finalist, in previous rounds and looked increasingly at home on the surface.

“For grass I’ve improved some things,” admitted the world number two. “The serve is important but I play more slices, changing the way of the point with slice sometimes.

“That’s important because you can play with different rhythms, which makes it more difficult for the opponent. For example, against Roger he gives you one slice and then a forehand with topspin. It’s big changes during the point and is very difficult, especially on grass.

“I’m feeling good with my volleys too. I worked hard during all the years to improve these things and right now I feel I’ve improved a little bit.

“But if I want to continue to be in this position, I have to be continuing to improve always.”

Djokovic concedes Nadal has improved considerably on grass, but has taken enormous confidence from his Australian Open victory, his first grand slam title.

And the 21-year-old is keen to do equally well at Wimbledon if he can get lucky with the weather this time.

“Last year I was one of the players really hurt bad by the weather,” Djokovic said. “I had to play one match over five days.

“Then I just could not hold on, because I had marathon matches in the fourth round and quarter-finals, lasting almost five hours. I was just hurt and too exhausted to play in the semis.

“I will just try to do as I have done for the past two years, try to be myself and be aggressive. If I can show my game and play the best that I can, then I am confident I can do well.

“Wimbledon is my favourite Grand Slam, I have always said that. I have always wanted to win Wimbledon in my career.

“But I am only 21 and am not in a big rush. I do not need to win it this year, even though I am one of the favourites. I still have a lot of time to come.”