Roger Federer insisted on Sunday that a fourth successive title rather than breaking records is motivating him ahead of Wimbledon.
Swiss ace Federer (24) can become only the third player in the open era to win Wimbledon four times in a row if he triumphs again at the All England club championships, which start on Monday.
Only American Pete Sampras, from 1997 to 2000, and Bjorn Borg, from 1976 to 1980, have achieved that feat.
If the world number one defeats France’s Richard Gasquet in the tournament’s opening match on centre court on Monday, he will also beat the Bjorg’s record of 41 consecutive wins on grass courts.
Spaniard Rafael Nadal was given a trophy for breaking Guillermo Vilas’ record of 53 straight clay court victories after his first round win at Roland Garros.
But Federer is adamant the only prize he wants is another Wimbledon crown.
”Honestly, it’s not the right thing to get a trophy for streaks,” said the number one seed.
”They did it at the French, which I thought was a little strange. I know that this will never happen at Wimbledon. I’m not even expecting it and I wouldn’t want it either.
”I don’t feel that’s right. You get a trophy at the end of a tournament, not after a first-round win.”
Any landmarks and plaudits are irrelevant to Federer, who last lost on grass against Mario Ancic at Wimbledon in 2002.
Although he suffered the disappointment of losing to Nadal in the French Open final, he bounced back by winning the Halle tournament last week.
He is happy to be back at Wimbledon and expects to mount another challenge for the trophy.
”I feel very good coming back to Wimbledon,” he said. ”I remember the year before last I was very nervous because of being the defending champion and everything. This year around I’m much more relaxed.
”I’ve had a great start to the season. I haven’t had a match where I’ve played poorly all-year long.
”If I can maintain that level of play obviously I’m looking pretty good for Wimbledon this year.
”You can always improve but I’m definitely playing very well at the moment. It’s just a matter of being consistent.
”Grass is tough. You only get one month of opportunity a year, that can be over very quickly.”
If he can overcome Nottingham Open winner Gasquet, who pushed him to three close sets at Halle, there is a possibility Federer will face Britain’s Tim Henman, a four-time Wimbledon semifinalist, in the second round.
Federer admitted he couldn’t have been given a harder opening.
”It’s one of the toughest draws I’ve had in a long time,” he added. ”As number one seed, and a seed in general, I think it’s one of the toughest draws I’ve gotten.
”Gasquet should be higher ranked, Tim should be higher ranked. It’s a very tough little section. I’ve definitely got to play very well from the start. I would like to think of Henman’s match but first thing’s first.
”Gasquet just won a tournament on grass. I just played him in Halle and almost lost. Better be careful.
”To come out with the victory, coming here again very confident on grass, that’s the best preparation I could have hoped for.” — AFP
