Federer eyes another title but wary of Nadal threat
London, July 1: Having seen longtime rival Rafael Nadal tighten his iron-grip on Roland Garros, Roger Federer aims to extend his personal dominance of Wimbledon by claiming a ninth title at the All England Club.
Despite his 37th birthday fast approaching, and having been stunned by Borna Coric in the Halle grasscourt final last weekend, 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.
“I’m really love going to Wimbledon but being the defending champion always creates pressure,” said Federer.
A week earlier, he had been buoyed by capturing the grass court title at Stuttgart.
“Regardless of whether I won or lost in Halle I will be one of the favourites at Wimbledon.”
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.
Federer 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 Nadal’s Grand Slam count now stands at 17, just three behind Federer with whom he has split the last six majors.
The world number one has endured a bittersweet relationship with Wimbledon despite being champion in 2008 and 2010.
Elsewhere, a lot will be expected of world number three Alexander Zverev who made the fourth round last year. ANDY MURRAY PULLS OUT Andy Murray has withdrawn from Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament after the twotime champion decided he wasn’t fit enough to compete at the All England Club.
Murray has only just returned to action after 11 months on the sidelines due to a hip injury that needed surgery in January.
“It’s with regret I’m withdrawing from Wimbledon,” Murray said in a statement on Sunday. SERENA EYES FIRST TITLE AS A MOTHER All eyes will be on Serena Williams on Monday as the seven-time champion bids to win her first Grand Slam crown since becoming a mother.
Williams’ two-year reign as Wimbledon champion ended 12 months ago when she missed the grass-court Grand Slam while she prepared for the September birth of her first child.
In the American’s absence, Spain’s Garbine Muguruza won Wimbledon for the first time with a final victory over Serena’s sister Venus.
Winning Wimbledon for the eighth time on the event’s 150th anniversary would be another memorable moment for Serena on the Centre Court she regards as a second home.
As for Maria Sharapova, who famously inflicted one of Serena’s most painful defeats in the 2004 Wimbledon final, the Russian has not played a match on grass since 2015 following her doping ban and injury last year.