Newly-crowned world no 1 Nadal looking back to his swashbuckling best

When Rafael Nadal slumped to the court after winning his epic five-set Wimbledon final against Roger Federer in 2008, many believed they had witnessed the crowning of the game's new dominant force.

Slowly, over a matter of years, the Spaniard had hauled in the seemingly invincible Federer and his extraordinary win in near-darkness on Centre Court marked the end of that long quest for grass-court glory.

As someone who, therefore, proved himself almost as magnificent on grass as he was on the red clay of Roland Garros, it seemed entirely understandable to make the suggestion that Federer's days at the top were numbered.

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One year later, it was not only Nadal's lofty status that was being questioned, but his very future in the game. First his long Roland Garros reign was ended by Robin Soderling. Then persistent knee problems ruled him out of Wimbledon.

A difficult season ensued, the low point perhaps his injury-enforced withdrawal midway through his Australian Open quarter-final against Andy Murray as his knee problem flared up once again.

Even Nadal himself conceded that setback raised doubts about his top-level future.

But unsurprisingly it was back on his beloved red clay where Nadal rediscovered both his form and his appetite for more grand slam glory. No-one is talking about Nadal's knees as he heads into Wimbledon 2010 seeking to deny Federer again.

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Nadal dominated the Monte Carlo Masters, losing only 14 games throughout his five matches and capping it off with a one-sided 6-0 6-1 final victory over Fernando Verdasco.

Mindful of those delicate knees, Nadal skipped Barcelona where he was a five-time defending champion, instead winning Rome and Madrid before returning to Roland Garros desperate to reclaim the crown from Federer.

What it meant to Nadal was evident in the way he wrapped his head in a towel after his final win over the previous year's nemesis Soderling. It was proof that he had won his brave battle to get back to the top.

Nadal may not start favourite this time around, but he will stride into Wimbledon as the newly-crowned world No 1 – enough proof, surely, that the Spaniard is back at his swashbuckling best.