Feel good factor enhancing favourites tag for Federer 

A decade on from their Hollywood blockbuster final, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal still occupy the top seeds at Wimbledon.

Both players have enjoyed a well-documented renaissance in recent campaigns, which was exemplified by the Swiss maestro sweeping to an eighth title at the All England Club last July without dropping a single set.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion assembled an astonishingly efficient display to open his 2018 Wimbledon campaign, dispatching world No.58 Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 with consummate ease.

It was an archetypal Federer Centre Court showing brimming with grace, swagger and pace. We almost take it for granted now, but it was an exhibition display of grass court tennis.

“I'm happy to be back at Wimbledon. I was really able to enjoy the match out there because I got off to a good start,” declared the world No.2. “When you get off to a good start in set one and two, you're able to just enjoy the moment more than when you're struggling early on. There is always pressure and nerves when you go into a first round.”

Ahead of The Championships Federer stressed the importance of the first six games of a match, especially on the grass. The 36-year-old perennially strives for perfection in his game and tactically. 

“I also watched some of the match I played against him last year (at Wimbledon). My legs were really not moving. Also Severin (Luthi) and Ivan (Ljubicic) gave me good advice. I think that all settled my nerves,” added the defending champion, hailing his coaching team.

“Yeah, it took me faster than six games to figure everything out. Court played great. It's wonderful. Wonderful to be back here.”

With such a positive persona and motoring grass court game. How realistic is it that someone will stun the Swiss?

Obviously, the likes of Nadal and Novak Djokovic enter that realm.

However, his conqueror from the grass at Halle Borna Coric was sent packing in the first round by fellow ‘Next Gen’ prospect Daniil Medvedev.

Last year’s Wimbledon final opponent Marin Cilic would provide a stern test as a semi-finalist, but apart from the bullet serving from the likes of Milos Raonic, Kevin Anderson and John Isner in his half, very few possess the artillery or versatility to duel with the defending champion.

Players frequently talk of the prestige and pressure of playing in the Grand Slams. Unsurprisingly Federer is sauntering around SW19, taking it all in his stride.

During practice week on No.3 Court, Federer was in full exhibition mode, whilst striking scorching shots past Sergiy Stakhovsky.

 The cap was tilted backwards and the jokes were flying.

In a heart-warming addition, his twin sons were keen observers and even took turns at calling the marks as line-judges during the jovial contest.

“They know I play a lot of tennis, but I'm not sure if they know what my ranking would be. They wouldn't know what I'm actually trying to do really. They know that there is a trophy involved at some point if I do play well, because they get most excited about the trophies,” revealed the reigning champion, who relishes the opportunity to involve his young family in his tennis journey.

“It was nice to see them there today walking out, walking off, seeing them there. It means the world to me, also to my wife. Yeah, it's definitely a special day today in my life again.”

This might not necessarily enhance the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s favourites tag, but the all-round positivity bursting from the Federer camp isn’t offering up much hope for his rivals.

The body has been rested, he ramped up his preparations with a final run in Halle and a beaming smile greets the tennis world from Federer’s face.

Unless a player is brave enough to mix up the tactics, to try and unsettle the swish Swiss’ rhythm, we are set for another memorable run by Federer on his cherished Wimbledon lawns.