Fed Express fav for Wimbledon

by Johnny Ward , 08 June 2009

Roger Federer is now into 11-10 with Paddy Power to win Wimbledon and he does appear to be primed to prize back his crown in England.

Winner of the event in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, few will forget the courage the Swiss showed - albeit vainly in the sense that he lost - against Rafael Nadal last year.

It was one of those occasions when you knew you were watching greatness. Whatever about the skills they showed, Federer's repeated refusal to accept defeat - and to stray even an inch from his composure while Nadal had match-points - is one of the reasons why he is a true great.

Now Fed goes into Wimbledon on the back of a French Open triumph - which he termed "[possibly] the greatest victory of my career".

Whether this was Federer virtuousity of the highest calibre is debateable: indeed, his exalted words are probably a reflection of how much of an achievement it was to win the French Open for the first time, rather than a reference to his own brilliance at Roland Garos.

He spoke of the confidence that he has now going to England. Moreover, Nadal may well miss the tournament. "I am not too optimistic," said Toni Nadal, his uncle and coach, in relation to the knee injury.

This could leave Andrew Murray as the only legitimate foe for Federer at Wimbledon, but it is hard to envisage the rabidly patriotic crowd he will attract doing much to unsettle Federer should they meet.

Even at 11-10, he is tempting to win Wimbledon.