Fantastic Federer back to his best

Roger Federer begins his quest for a record eighth Wimbledon title today and the revitalised Swiss maestro is back to his best, according to Tim Henman.

Former British number one Henman knows all about the potent threat posed by peak Federer, having lost six matches in a row to his good friend in the twilight of his own playing career.

But a decade has passed since then, and Henman hardly imagined Federer - who turns 36 in August - would be performing to the astounding level he has reached this season.

Federer played only seven tournaments in 2016 and dramatically cut short his campaign in July, after a Wimbledon semi-final loss to Milos Raonic, in a bid to recover fully from knee surgery.

It was all too easily read as the beginning of the end rather than the opening of a new chapter, and Federer has floored many with his rush of success in the first half of the season, which began with Australian Open glory in January.

Henman said: “It’s been incredible to watch. Last year he was in the semis and probably should have got to the final and he was pretty much on one leg.

“So he had to get his knee sorted out, he took six months off, but to come back and then win in Australia, Indian Wells and Miami, it’s incredible.

“At 35, he’s playing as well as ever.

“He won the week before last in Halle, he’s going to be confident, he knows how to win here. He’s won seven times - can he make it eight? We’re all keen to see.”

Federer is bidding to become the oldest men’s singles champion at Wimbledon since American Bill Tilden, who carried off the 1930 title at the age of 37.

Standing in his way at the first hurdle is Alexandr Dolgopolov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian who Federer has brushed aside in straight sets in each of their three previous meetings.