Berdychbracedfor‘greatestofthemall’

Tomas Berdych ended a dismal losing streak against Novak Djokovic on Wednesday — albeit only when his rival retired with an injury in their Wimbledon quarterfinal.

Berdych next faces Roger Federer, who he hailed as the “greatest of them all”.

The 31-year-old is through to his second consecutive semifinal, where he will go up against seven-time champion Federer.

However, he said he was no more daunted by the Swiss master than he was by Djokovic.

“No matter if it’s Roger or if it’s Novak, or a guy in the first round, what’s most important is myself, my game, belief in what I’m doing,” Berdych said. “I just need to go out there and play my best.”

He did, though, acknowledge the scale of the task he faced.

“It’s a really exceptional tennis player that we have, that our sport has right now,” he said of third-seeded Federer.

“There was nobody better in the past — I think he’s the greatest of them all. It’s a great challenge to have the opportunity to play him.”

Berdych has never won a Grand Slam, although he was Wimbledon runner-up in 2010 when he lost to Rafael Nadal.

He has reached seven Grand Slam semifinals — second only to Ivan Lendl among Czech men.

But asked about the recognition he receives at home for his achievements, Monte Carlobased Berdych replied: “I’m not aware of any stadium or statue with my name on it in the Czech Republic.”