Positivity could take Djokovic past SW19 ‘royalty’

Mayer, ranked 29th in the world, played some excellent tennis against Djokovic on Court One at times, but the defending champion proved too strong in the end as he recorded a 6-4 6-1 6-4 win.

The victory set up a mouthwatering semi-final for tomorrow against six-time champion Federer, who tore Mikhail Youzhny’s game apart in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Centre Court.

Federer is practically regarded as royalty at Wimbledon, and in the world of tennis.

The Swiss has won 16 grand slams and is determined to equal Pete Sampras and William Renshaw’s record of winning seven Wimbledon titles.

Federer may be 30 years old, but Djokovic insists his next opponent’s power is not on the wane.

“He’s rated probably as the best player in history,” Djokovic said. “He has won everything that a tennis player can win and he’s coming back for more.

“He has won the most grand slams in history so it is the ultimate challenge for me. Roger has been on the top of the men’s game for so long.

“He has won six titles here and he definitely wants to prove to himself and to everybody else that he can win it once again.”

Djokovic displayed some of the best tennis he has played throughout the Wimbledon fortnight against Mayer.

The Serbian started slowly, coming from a break down to clinch the first set before easing to victory in one hour and 45 minutes.

Djokovic has dropped just one set en route to the semi-final and has warned Federer he is in supreme form ahead of their clash, which will be the first time the pair have met at Wimbledon.

“My mindset is very positive,” he added.

“He has a really smart game for this surface, but I have improved playing on grass in the last couple of years.

“I won the title here last year and have got to another semi-final this year, so I’m feeling good about this surface, and about myself.

“This year I’ve been playing really well, constantly well, from the start of the tournament, and I hope to continue that way.

“I really have nothing to lose. I’m going to try to win.”

Djokovic has had the edge over Federer in their recent meetings, winning six out of the last seven matches.

He also has the psychological advantage of knowing he has come from match point down on two occasions against Federer at the US Open.

“Most of our matches that we play against each other are very close,” said Djokovic.

“Very few points decide the winner. I won two years in a row against him with match points down.

“I expect this match to be a tight one.

“We have never played on grass, so I think it’s going to be interesting for both of us to see what happens.”

Speculation the relationship between the multiple major winners is frosty was quashed by Federer, who stressed they had talked through a flare-up which occurred during a Davis Cup match six years ago.

At the time of the clash between the Swiss and Serbia, Federer labelled the then teenage Djokovic “a joke” after he sought treatment in a match against Stanislas Wawrinka. Federer questioned whether Djokovic was hurt at all.

Federer said then: “I don’t trust his injuries. I’m serious. I think he’s a joke, you know, when it comes down to his injuries.”

But that 2006 episode no longer appears a factor, and they head to their latest showdown if not as the best of friends then at least on civil terms.

Looking back to the match in Geneva, Federer said: “I was just upset at him calling the trainer out for no obvious reason against my buddy, Stan, in a five-setter. That was it. We had a quick chat about it in Madrid after that, and things have been cool for a long time between me and him.

“I’ve always respected him. Have I gone out for dinner with him? No. But I’ve had many meetings with him at the council, and then now with the grand slams. He’s been nice to work with. We’ve met on several occasions because of other things together.

“I have no issues with him, and I hope you believe me.”

A rivalry exists though, and after blowing away Youzhny on Centre Court, 6-1 6-2 6-2, to the delight of a Royal Box containing not only the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge but Wimbledon royalty in Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, Federer underlined how much it would mean to him to land a seventh title.

“Obviously it’s a big deal. There’s no denying that,” he said.

“It feels great being back in the semis. I haven’t been here in the last couple of years.

“Usually I play some of my best tennis in the last couple of rounds. Obviously, I’m aware that Novak is the defending champion and the world No 1.

“That’s not going to make it easy to come through.”