Roger Federer has a fabled history at the All England Club.
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The Swiss is the joint record leader at Wimbledon with seven titles, he’s finished runner-up twice – both in epic five-setters – and when he takes to the courts for his opening round on Tuesday it will be his 17th consecutive showing at the event.
At 33 years old, Federer must feel like he’s done it all and seen it all, yet as he bids to become just the second man in history to win eight titles at any grand slam, the world No2 has declared that his preparation for this particular Wimbledon is “the best I’ve ever had”.
Like so many other seasons, Federer has come to SW19 with a title in Halle under his belt, having picked up an eighth trophy at the German tournament two weeks ago.
But unlike other seasons, there has been an extra week between Roland Garros and Wimbledon, which has made the unforgiving and abrupt switch from clay to grass a little bit easier for the players, who now have three weeks instead of two between the two grand slams.
“It’s changed everything, to be honest,” Federer told reporters at the All England Club. “You might think that a week is not a lot, but a week is so much for us players.
“The good thing is you can heal problems you might have carried over from the French rather than taking chances right away running onto the grass, or not playing a warm-up event.
The seven-time #Wimbledon champion @rogerfederer is back – and he’s more than ready. More: http://t.co/5y7wMa4YmX pic.twitter.com/eqkuS0wYOT
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2015
“Wimbledon comes around very quickly. You come in with many more doubts into the tournament. I could rest and relax and then really train and prepare properly for a change for a good grass court season.
“Just the moving on grass takes some adjustment. Also, in my opinion, some physical adjustment, which I had all the time to do. That worked well.
“I can totally pace myself, which is huge in an athlete’s career and life.”
The last of Federer’ 17 major triumphs came at Wimbledon in 2012 and he is looking to extend his lead at the top of the all-time grand slam leaders list in men’s tennis with another success here this fortnight.
Rafael Nadal is the only man to ever win more than seven trophies at one major, thanks to his nine Roland Garros titles.
The Spaniard is seeded a lowly No10 at Wimbledon and should he win a third time here, he would be the oldest man to win 15 grand slam titles (he is 29 years, 39 days the day of the final).
Nadal practiced twice on Saturday, once in the morning with Tommy Robredo and in the evening with Marc Lopez, in a clear attempt to be as prepared as he can for his opener against Thomaz Bellucci on Tuesday.
He ended a five-year title drought on grass by winning Stuttgart two weeks ago then lost in his opening match at Queen’s Club two days later to Alexandr Dolgopolov. Nadal flew back home to Mallorca for three days after that loss to hang out with family and friends, play some golf and spend some time at sea on his boat before he was back to business on the lawns at SW19.
Rafa #Nadal practice at #Wimbledon (reuters) pic.twitter.com/sLJMPSEuXG
— Rafaholics™ (@Rafaholics) June 27, 2015
“That was very important to me and I needed it,” said Nadal of his three-day break in Mallorca.
“I’m just happy to be here. Healthy, that’s the most important thing. Last year I was better, after 2012 and 2013 was when I couldn’t play well here. Too much stress on the knees.
“It’s good, losing or winning, doesn’t matter, but is good to be healthy on the second most important surface in my career, without any doubt.”
Meanwhile, 2013 champion Andy Murray will be bidding to become the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon titles since Fred Perry, who won here from 1934 to 1936.
Do you need a better reason to start following @Wimbledon on Snapchat?! @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/UHZWg0tYep
— Andy Murray Fans (@AndyMurrayFans) June 27, 2015
The Scot has had the perfect preparation by winning the title at Queen’s a week ago and is touted by many as a top favourite for the tournament. Murray is choosing to focus on enjoying his experience here rather than worry about the pressure of home expectations.
“I want to try to enjoy it as best as I can. A lot of ex-players that I’ve spoken to have said ‘at the end really make sure you get every last ounce out of yourself because these will be the best years of your life. It doesn’t get better when you finish playing. So enjoy it as best you can’,” said the third-seeded Murray.
No4 seed Stan Wawrinka is hoping to become just the fifth man in the Open Era to win the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double having triumphed at the French Open three weeks ago.
The Swiss feels he is finally finding his footing on grass, after making the quarter-finals here last year, and says he’s feeling confident heading into his opener against Joao Sousa.
