Roger Federer ‘not among the favourites’ at Wimbledon – Serena Williams’ coach

Roger Federer 'not the player he was' says Rupert Bell

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Roger Federer is not among the favourites to win Wimbledon this year for the first time in his career, according to Patrick Mouratoglu. The Swiss takes on Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the third round on Saturday.

Federer found himself down two sets to one against Adrian Mannarino in the first round and was staring at his earliest Wimbledon exit since 2002 before the Frenchman retired with an injury. 

The 20 time Grand Slam champion played at a higher level against Richard Gasquet in round two and will be hoping to build on that performance as he chases a record extending ninth Wimbledon title.

But the coach of Serena Williams, Patrick Mouratoglu, does not see the Swiss as one of the favourites to lift the title at SW19 this year.

“It is difficult for me to think that he can play more matches over five sets considering his current form and his age,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He will not be among the favourites for the first time.”

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The eight time Wimbledon champion has struggled with form and fitness in 2021 and is playing in only his second Grand Slam since the 2020 Australian Open.

He withdrew from the French Open this year after a gruelling match against Dominik Koepfer and then lost to young Canadian star Felix Auger Alliasime on the grass in Halle.

Meanwhile, one of his great rivals, Novak Djokovic has been in impressive form having sailed through the opening rounds this year.

The Serb has already won the Australian Open and the French Open in 2021 and is chasing more history at Wimbledon.

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And the world No 1 is the ‘super favourite’ to win a sixth title at the All England Club this year according to Mouratoglu.

“The absences of Rafa Nadal and Dominic Thiem greatly open up the draw and further strengthen Novak Djokovic’s status as the favourite,” he said.

“The win at Roland Garros has given him great confidence.

“The grass is particularly congenial to him because he has the best return in the world and his precise and effective serve produces wonders on the surface.

“He is really the super favourite.

“The only thing that could create problems for him is his particular ability, when everything goes too well on the court, to get tangled up, so suddenly.

“If there are any surprises, therefore, I see them coming more from the young, rising generation.”

Djokovic takes on Chile’s Cristian Garin in the fourth round on Monday.

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