Neither made it that far in 2013. Not even close. Federer lost his second match at the All England Club. Nadal exited in the first round, a year after bowing out in the second.
With play at Wimbledon starting Monday, Federer and Nadal are eager to return to the heights they once reached with regularity at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. They sound certain that they are prepared to fare better than 12 months ago - and, as might be expected from a seven-time champion, Federer came right out and called himself ‘a contender.
I feel like, yeah, if things click here, I should be able to win the tournament,’ Federer said Saturday. I feel I have a very good chance again this year. I hope to utilize my fitness, the amount of matches I’ve played this year,’ he added. ‘So I’m really coming in with a much better feeling.
Federer tuned up for Wimbledon, where he is seeded fourth, by winning a title on grass at Halle, Germany, last weekend. That showing gave Federer all the assurance he needed that his game is in prime form at the moment especially on the slick surface he dominated for a decade.