Roger Federer warned on Saturday that he and the rest of the big four of men's tennis – Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal – were going to be as tough to beat as ever at Wimbledon this year as they seek to continue their astonishing monopoly of the event.
In the last 14 editions, one of either Federer, the seven-times champion, double winners Nadal and Murray, or triple victor Djokovic has lifted the men's singles title at the All England Club.
Federer's rivals have had mixed preparations for Wimbledon. Murray's harboured hip trouble after an early exit at Queen's; Nadal’s decision to skip grasscourt warm-ups to rest his body after winning the French Open; while Djokovic burst into life earlier on Saturday by winning the Eastbourne title.
Rafael Nadal on the other hand is adamant that he will not be discouraged by the memory of recent Wimbledon woes as he prepares to follow up his landmark 10th French Open triumph with a third success on sport's most storied lawns.
Now, Spain's two-times champion is determined to improve on a series of shock defeats he suffered since winning his last title in 2010 and reaching the final the following year.
Nadal lost to Lukas Rosol in the second round in 2012 when struggling with knee problems, Steve Darcis in 2013 (first round), the then new boy Nick Kyrgios in 2014 (fourth round) and Dustin Brown in 2015 (second round), before missing last year’s event with a wrist injury.
Yet, he is adamant that the losses have not left a scar.
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