Wimbledon title ‘not up for grabs’

FEDERER: THE BIG FOUR READY TO PROTECT DOMINATION

London

Roger Federer warned that he and the rest of the big four of men’s tennis were going to be as tough to beat as ever at Wimbledon this year as they seek to continue their astonishing monopoly of the event.

In the last 14 editions, one of either Federer (left), the seven-time champion, double winners Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, or triple victor Novak Djokovic has lifted the men’s singles title at The All England Club.

While reporters quizzed Federer at the weekend about who in the game’s young brigade could become the first man outside that quartet to win since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002, the Swiss felt it would be best to keep faith with the usual suspects.

Federer’s rivals have had mixed preparations for Wimbledon. Murray’s harboured hip trouble after an early exit at Queen’s, Nadal decided to skip grasscourt warm-ups to rest his body after winning the French Open, while Djokovic burst into life on Saturday by winning the Eastbourne title.

Do not be fooled, suggested Federer. All these 30-something luminaries would again be “tough to beat” when Wimbledon starts today.

“Depending how fit he is, if he’s anything close to 100% physically, I consider him (Murray) one of the big favourites to win the tournament.

‘‘It’s that simple. It’s the same for Novak and the same for Rafa,” reckoned Federer. “I think it’s very even when we put it all out on the line. Everybody has their own little story right now.

“Novak is just coming back from winning Eastbourne now. Rafa is coming in red hot from the clay. So I see it positive for them rather than negative in some shape, which I’m sure people will try to see that way.

“But I see that they are going to be tough to beat here.” – Reuters