Just over five years ago
Roger Federer, shortly after winning his fifth straight
Wimbledon title, let slip his thoughts about
Novak Djokovic, at that time the new kid on the block. "I'm not worried about Djokovic," he said. At the time he saw Rafael Nadal as his biggest threat, fair enough given the events of the few years which followed as the Spaniard superseded him as the best player in the world. But as the two men prepare to meet in the first of the semi-finals hereon Friday, we can assume he has changed his thinking.
There is no reason why the two should be the best of friends and they do not lack respect for each other. But there is also a coolness between them which stems back to 2006 when Djokovic annoyed Federer during a Davis Cup tie. After beating Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets to reach the semi-finals here for the eighth time, but for the first time in three years, Federer blamed the press for making more out of their spat than there was. The Swiss claims that they sorted their problems out quickly but it is probably safe to say they will not be seen together in too many social situations.
There is nothing like a bit of animosity, perceived or otherwise, to add spice to what is their fifth semi-final meeting in the past seven grand slam events.
It was this time last year that Djokovic took the No1 ranking from Nadal but after a stellar last 12 months, at least outside the grand slam events, the world No3 Federer could regain top spot if he goes on to win the title. Should Djokovic beat the Swiss, as he has done in six of their past seven meetings, then the Serb will stay No1 and be one match away from a second straight title here.
Djokovic is trying to reach his fifth consecutive grand slam final; Federer could make it through to a grand slam final for the 24th time in his career and he wants his title back.
"I'm not trying to defend my title here," said the 25-year-old Djokovic, who has dropped only one set in reaching the semi-finals for the fourth time. "I'm trying to fight for it as every other player who is in the last four. My mind-set is very positive. I obviously felt relief in a way that I won the tournament on the grass [last year]. But now I'm feeling great about playing on grass. This year I've been playing really well, consistently well, from the start of the tournament, and I hope to continue that way."
Over the past two years a Djokovic-Federer semi-final has become almost a regular fixture with Friday's match their fifth in the past seven grand slam championships. Federer has won only one of them, squandering two match points at the US Open in each of the past two years and losing in straight sets when they met at the French Open last month. It will be their first meeting on grass, for so long Federer's domain, but Djokovic is understandably confident.
"Maybe he uses the grass court better because of that slice," Djokovic said. "He has a really smart game for this surface. But I improved playing on grass in the last couple of years. I won the title here last year, am in another semi-final this year so I'm feeling good. I really have nothing to lose."
It is two and a half years since Federer won the most recent of his record 16 grand slam titles, when he beat Andy Murray to win the Australian Open. There was a time when he was almost unbeatable over five sets; now, at the age of 30, he seems vulnerable over the longer format, unable, perhaps, to sustain his level for long enough.
The Swiss had to come from two sets down to beat the Frenchman Julien Benneteau in round three and a back problem that reared against Xavier Malisse in round four is a possible concern. Having won the title six times, he can never be written off and he is at least talking a good game.
"I've been playing well for a year now," Federer said. "I'm happy that going ahead into the semi-finals I'm not tired, I'm not injured, I'm fresh and ready to go. That's how I want to feel. It's been a better tournament than in Paris for me anyway, where I struggled all the way through.
"Obviously I'm aware that Novak is the defending champion and the world No1. That's not going to make it easy to come through. I know it's possible. I know I'm playing really well. I am aware things are going to get complicated. I'd better prepare well because it's going to be a tough match."
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