5 reasons Roger Federer can win Wimbledon 2017

Struggling rivals and rested entry

To say that every single one of Federer’s rivals is ‘struggling’ would be unfair – but then, the only exception to that rule is Rafael Nadal, who dominated his own surface – clay – in spectacular fashion.

But Nadal, for his immense successes, has never been as good as Federer on grass – indeed, few players ever have. In comparison to the Swiss ace, Nadal has a 77.63% win rate on grass, in addition to which he has been handed quite the difficult draw at Wimbledn 2017. The Spanish World No. 2

Nadal got off to a quick start against Australia’s John Millman (who was also hampered by injuries), and now faces Donald Young, who has found some firepower of late. But the big test for the Spaniard could be in the form of Russian NextGen player Karen Khachanov, who took Roger Federer to tiebreak at the semi-finals of Halle before eventually losing.

21-year-old Khachanov is hailed as one of the ATP’s most promising young talents, and it’s not hard to see why. The young player has already done well at Grand Slams this year, demolishing No 14 Tomas Berdych and #22 John Isner at the French Open, where he proceeded to the Round of 16 this year before an eventual loss to World No. 1 Andy Murray.

This year, he also defeated David Goffin and seriously threatened big-serving Ivo Karlovic, and the Russian could well impede Nadal’s route to the finals.

The obstacles for Nadal only multiply with each round, with either Gilles Muller or Lukas Rosol – both equally dangerous on grass, with Muller especially looking threatening, and an in-form Cilic up next.

While Nadal is also rested – in fact, more rested for the grass season, it is Federer who had an extended break post Indian Wells and Miami, and back on the surface he has ruled for so long, it is doubtful he can put a foot wrong.

Should Federer find himself up against Andy Murray, that one, given Murray’s recent struggles with hip injury and illness, is likely only to go one way.