Peer to peer
So, who will it be? As the men's singles draw is whittled down to the final eight, even the players cannot agree on the next champion. Here's what the invitational doubles competitors are saying:
Daniela Hantuchova (2002 quarter-finals)
"I think Roger (Federer) is the favourite. I’ve said it since the beginning, just because of the way he has been playing in the first week. I don’t think we have ever seen him playing such a high level of tennis in the first week.
"His game looks just as clean as ever and he is fitter, he is much lighter. I don’t how he does it, but he moves incredibly well.”
Wayne Ferreira (1994 quarter-finals)
“In the beginning I picked Roger and Nick Kyrgios, but with Kyrgios being out now, Roger for me is still the favourite. But, looking at how the matches are going this week, I think (Juan Martin) del Potro is looking very, very good. I think he is playing well enough to take (Rafael) Nadal out. For me, it’s Roger and Del Potro.”
Paul Haarhuis (1998 men’s doubles champion)
“You will have to go with Roger, although the conditions are somewhat in favour of Nadal. The courts are dry and hard, the balls are bouncing up higher so the topspin that Nadal uses has a lot more impact. But having said that, Federer is once again on a mission. The level is so high.”
Marion Bartoli (2013 ladies' singles champion)
“Definitely, Federer and Nadal are the favourites, but if we think a little bit outside of the box, I will go with Juan Martin del Potro, just because he can hit so hard on his serve and from the back of the court. He could be disturbing someone like Rafa, who likes to have a little bit more time.
“What is very surprising for me is to see them [Federer and Nadal] dominating with their physicality, still. Physically, they are just so much stronger than the other ones. But Novak (Djokovic) is on the way back and might be starting to creep in, and beat one of them, maybe."
Mark Philippoussis (2003 Wimbledon finalist, lost to Federer):
“Roger Federer has always done very well in terms of taking care of his body, he’s made sure that he has peaked around various Grand Slams, that’s always been his goal. He plays around 18 tournaments and year and makes sure that he stays fresh and that he stays healthy and that’s one of the main reasons too.”
“The way he plays, it is very stress-free on his body, the way he moves. He is one of the best movers on the court and he makes it look very easy. That’s the sign of a true champion, you’ve got someone who has won 20 grand slams and you can still hear him talking about improving and enjoying. That is an incredible inspiration in itself.”
Patrick McEnroe, 1992-93 Wimbledon men’s doubles quarter-finalist:
“Federer is the favourite, there is no doubt about it. I am a bit surprised Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori haven’t won a Grand Slam yet. Del Potro had some injuries. But it’s a testament to how great Federer and Nadal are.”
