FOR most of the Championship he has been little more than the Centre Court warm-up act, the man who offered a masterclass before Andy Murray stepped into the spotlight. But now Murray is gone the focus is again on Roger Federer as he takes on Andy Roddick in this afternoon's final. The five-time Wimbledon champion is looking for his sixth to take the haul of grand slam titles to 15 and move clear of Pete Sampras.
It would elevate him once again to world No 1 in tomorrow's rankings and cement his place as the greatest of all time.
He knows it will not be easy. His record against Roddick is severely one-sided – he has won 18 of their 20 head-to-heads – and
in their three previous meetings in major finals, the Swiss maestro has conceded just two sets to his rival. But he knows that he will be facing up to an improved version of the Roddick who has been walloping about tennis courts in the past few years. Arguably a better Roddick than the one who himself was once world No 1. "He has been one of the most consistent players and now he is back in a grand slam final. We have played so many classic games together, we are about the same age, but he has improved his game again. It's going to be tough."
But the biggest battle Federer faces is with himself. In imperious form once again, rattling through this year's draw, dropping just one set on his passage to the final but with history looming, he has allowed his mind to drift. All fortnight he has refused to discuss the issue of bettering Sampras' slams record. One match at a time was his methodical doctrine, but when he steps out on Centre Court today he knows what is at stake and the nerves will be jangling. "Tension always comes back for any final. It is only one match and that really changes your mindset. I will try to give my very best."
He may be on the brink of history, but his appetite is not unlikely to be sated by victory today. "I love this game too much and plan to stick around for a long time."
Federer permitted himself a look back and highlighted his maiden win at Wimbledon in 2003. "That opened all possibilities to me and I realised I could be a wonderful player. There was also the win when I became No 1, when I won in Australia in 2004. Then I was top of the world."
Asked to name his top five, he ran through memories of a few more but then paused. "That's just some of them, but I have many more, thank God. I even forget some of them."
But not the milestone moments. Not the ones which single you out as the greatest of all time.
