Federer ready to claim eighth title

Roger Federer may only have played a handful of matches in preparation but the king of grass might still be ready to claim a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title.

Federer’s selective approach to the tennis calendar has continued in 2017 with him skipping the entire clay-court season to save his 35-year-old legs for the summer.

It has always been his most prolific time of year and even the chance of rust appears slim after he won the Australian Open in January, in what was his first tournament in six months.

Federer’s hopes of winning a record-stretching 19th grand slam title on Centre Court have certainly been boosted by the struggles of his rivals.

Twelve months ago Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic had established themselves as a class above the chasing pack but it seems remarkable that both will arrive at the All England Club looking to discover, rather than maintain, any semblance of form.

Murray’s first-round exit at Queen’s to world No 90 Jordan Thompson extended a miserable first half of the season, which has seen the Scot win just one tournament and lose nine singles matches already.

Djokovic, meanwhile, could have Andre Agassi in his team but remains unrecognisable from the player that held all four major titles this time last year. In the four since, he has reached just one final and failed to go past the quarters in any of other three.

It leaves the men’s draw at Wimbledon with something of a retro feel, Federer’s challenge perhaps under greatest threat from Rafael Nadal, the 31-year-old who could well overtake Murray as world No 1 if the Briton fails to defend his crown.

If neither Murray nor Djokovic can turn the tide and the grass proves too demanding for Federer and Nadal, it will leave an opening for one of the rest to break through.

Milos Raonic, were it not for his patchy form and niggling injuries, would be a prime contender, while Wawrinka must surely replicate his unstoppable form on grass some time soon.

The Swiss has won each of the other three grand slams but is yet to go close at Wimbledon, failing ever to go further than the last eight.

Beyond those would be a surprise champion but Nick Kyrgios, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem have all shown signs they are ready to deliver on their potential. Grigor Dimitrov, the talented Bulgarian, is another in excellent form.

Britain is unlikely to have an alternative male contender to Murray but Kyle Edmund will be hoping to make the second week, while also competing are Ajaz Bedene, Brydan Klein, Cameron Norrie, Alex Ward and James Ward.

Novak Djokovic landed his first title since January as he triumphed at the Aegon International in Eastbourne. An assured 6-3 6-4 victory over Gael Monfils gave the Serbian the perfect boost ahead of Wimbledon, and justified his late decision to head to...