Federer is the man they will all have to see off

THERE are no doubts in my mind at all now.

Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time.

His performance in winning the Australian Open in January cemented that status for me, and I can hardly find words to adequately describe it.

To put the achievement in context, Federer went into the Australian at the age of 35, not having played a tournament for six months due to knee surgery. He had not won a Grand Slam event for nearly five years, and was down to No. 17 in the world rankings.

Federer defied all logic in winning the title, beating four top-10 seeds in successive rounds, ending with a five-set epic victory over Rafa Nadal.

It is not just that the Swiss star won the tournament that sways me – it was the fashion in which he did it.

I honestly don’t think Federer has ever played better in his career. His form was beyond belief.

Some of the shots he came up with in the fifth set of the final were simply staggering.

I believe he is the only player in the world who could win a major after six months out, and without a warm-up tournament. It was an extraordinary achievement.

He then went on to complete one of the toughest ‘doubles’ in the calendar, by winning back-toback Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami, in brutal temperatures. Astonishing.

That’s why I make Federer favourite to win Wimbledon again.

I don’t believe he was aiming to win in Australia. All along I think Wimbledon was his target.

Missing the French Open was all part of the plan to bring him into Wimbledon at the peak of his form and fitness. Mission accomplished, so far. While the Swiss star seems in fine fettle, I wonder which Novak Djokovic will turn up at Wimbledon?

The one who a year ago was almost out of sight at the top of the world rankings, and the holder of all four of the Grand Slam titles?

Or the rather limp also-ran we have seen for the past few months?

I have no idea, and quite probably Novak himself doesn’t have a clue, either.

The decline of Djokovic is one of sport’s great mysteries.

It can only be a mental issue, and the hunger cannot be there. A player’s game doesn’t suddenly drop off that quickly, but if the motivation is not there, sheer ability is not enough to win matches at the top level.

Djokovic has now got Andre Agassi in his corner for Wimbledon. No disrespect, but he could have five Andre Agassis around him and without the inner desire, it’s a waste of time.

Everything is really down to Novak. The fire has to come from within. Agassi can fan the flames, but without a spark there’s no chance.

No fears in that department with Rafa Nadal. His form and attitude were sensational at the French.

Rather like Djokovic, Nadal is a sort of wild card at Wimbledon. You don’t know what to expect.

Rafa has had some strange defeats at Wimbledon in recent years. However, in Paris, Nadal’s game – particularly his serve and backhand – looked stronger than ever.

If he can negotiate the early rounds at Wimbledon, and hone his grass-court game, he might surprise everyone.