Record-breaking ace Federer aiming to be in seventh heaven

Just two short years ago, Federer's star appeared to be on the wane with Nadal's power and precision blasting the Spaniard to back-to-back grand slam titles, first at Roland Garros and then at Wimbledon, Federer's spiritual home.

Defeat at SW19 in what is regarded by many as the greatest Wimbledon final of all time was a shattering blow for Federer, whose bid for a sixth successive title in London was comprehensively ended in five sets by the indefatigable Nadal.

Coming so soon after Nadal's demolition of Federer in straight sets in the final of that year's French Open, there was a genuine and growing belief among the tennis fraternity that a sea change was indeed taking place, with Nadal ready to assume the mantle as the world's greatest tennis player.

But what followed in the months after Federer's Wimbledon defeat only served to underline the class of the Swiss.

His first reaction to seeing his SW19 dominance come to an end was to go out and win the US Open final in straight sets against Andy Murray, before reaching the final of the first grand slam of 2009 in Australia, although once there he was again forced to play second fiddle to Nadal.

Slowly, the tide would turn as 2009 progressed, however, with Nadal becoming the man to struggle as fitness problems took hold. The Spaniard's shock defeat against Robin Soderling at the French Open paved the way for Federer to beat the Swede in the Roland Garros final, and in doing so secure the Swiss a career grand slam of the four majors.

And better was to follow at Wimbledon, where Federer banished the memories of 12 months earlier by defeating Andy Roddick in an epic final to claim a record 15th grand slam title, and reclaim the world No 1 slot from Nadal.

Reflecting on his time as the world No 2 behind Nadal between August 2008 and July 2009, Federer said: "That period definitely had its benefits.

"Ultimately it's clear that, after seven years of dominance, you're also going to have to lose once in a while. After all, I didn't win every tournament before becoming No 1 either.

"Also, constant development has always been important to me – no matter how well or badly things might be going. I'm always on the lookout for new ways to progress and to bring variety and excitement to my life.

"Even in 2008, when things weren't going as well and I went back to being only No 2 in the world, wasn't such a bad season at all.

"I reached the semi-finals – at least – in all the major tournaments. My problem was that I couldn't beat the top-five players as easily as I had before.

"Although I could still do it now and again, I just wasn't able to dominate them in the same way I had in the past. However, I always felt that there were good reasons why I wasn't completely at my best during that time.

"On the one hand, I was suffering from mononucleosis, and on the other I had back problems, both of which interfered with my training regime.

"In hindsight, it might have been better to play fewer tournaments.

"But I would probably do it the same way again if I had my time over."

Federer completed a clean sweep of grand slam finals by reaching the showpiece match at the US Open against Juan Martin del Potro last autumn, although a shock defeat at the hands of the young Argentinean was not in the script.

Nevertheless, Federer had emphatically made his point. From the misery of both his mauling at Roland Garros and the end of his Wimbledon dominance in 2008, the Swiss had reached five out of five grand slam finals.

That became six out of six when he won the Australian Open at the start of this year, but cracks reappeared at the recent French Open, when a quarter-final loss at the hands of Soderling ended Federer's sequence of reaching at least the last four at every grand slam event dating back to Wimbledon 2004.

Despite that setback, Federer remains the man most likely to again lift the silverware at the All England Club in a fortnight's time, a feat which would draw him level with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw as seven-time winners at SW19.

But for a man who wrapped up his record-breaking grand slam title in front of a Wimbledon Royal Box graced by the presence of Sampras, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg last summer, such exalted company should hardly faze the unflappable Swiss.