It was not just an impatient Britain that thought it was Andy Murray’s time to win Wimbledon 12 months ago his final opponent Roger Federer did too.
And now Federer believes Murray poses the greatest threat of any rival as the grass-court Grand Slam fortnight begins.
Murray last year became the first British man to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles final for 74 years and won the first set, but Federer went on to win in four and lift the trophy for the seventh time.
Murray did not have to wait long to gain revenge, thrashing Federer in the Olympic final four weeks later and then winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in September.
Federer said yesterday: “I thought Andy was going to win a big one anyway at some point. He’s too good to always keep losing semis and finals. He’s put himself too often in that position time and time again.
“Somehow I thought it was going to be Wimbledon before the finals last year. I thought this was going to be it for him. I was able to fight that off and play a good match.
“I was happy with the way I played, but I was happy with the reaction that Andy showed as well. Because in previous years, the one time I beat him in the Australian Open final, he went on a bit of a disappointing run after that.
“That wasn’t the case after Wimbledon last year. He actually got much stronger. That’s why he increased his chances now by winning big tournaments. He did so at the Olympics, the US Open. Now he’s the favourite every tournament he goes into around the world.”
Federer had no hesitation in picking out Murray, a potential semi-final opponent, as the player he fears most at Wimbledon ahead of Rafael Nadal or world number one Novak Djokovic.
“I think Murray played great last year throughout Wimbledon and the Olympics, and now again at Queen’s,” said Federer.
“So, for me, he seems like maybe the most natural on this surface of the other guys. But then the other guys are already Wimbledon champions, Rafa and Novak. But, to me, Andy sort of stands out a little bit over the others.”
Meanwhile, Goran Ivanisevic would love to see Andy Murray win Wimbledon and receive a Scottish homecoming to match his own incredible reception in Split 12 years ago.
A vast crowd flocked to see Ivanisevic return with the trophy after his thrilling ‘People’s Monday’ triumph against Pat Rafter in 2001, when the Croatian lifted the trophy amid a carnival All England Club atmosphere after needing a wild card just to be in the draw.
While few gave Ivanisevic a prayer that year, Murray begins his eighth Wimbledon campaign with only world No 1 Novak Djokovic ahead of him in the betting.
Several thousand admirers turned out in Murray’s home town of Dunblane last September as he returned from New York with the US Open trophy, becoming Britain’s first Grand Slam winner since Fred Perry.
But the 26-year-old could tour Scotland’s biggest towns and cities and be guaranteed to stop traffic everywhere he goes were he to claim the Wimbledon title.
Celebrations could reach a scale close to Ivanisevic’s famous party on the streets of Split, the city where he grew up.
On that occasion, flares were lit and those who had long idolised the man with the booming serve and nearly-man charm were shinning up lamp posts to find the best view.
“There were almost 200,000 people. It was unbelievable,” Ivanisevic said.
He expects there would be similar pandemonium for Murray.
“Probably, but then he has to go back to Scotland in order to celebrate. That would be great for him,” Ivanisevic added.
Now aged 41, Ivanisevic plays seniors tennis and commentates. He saw Murray seize an early lead against Roger Federer in last year’s final, before his challenge subsided.
But with a Grand Slam now in the bag, and Olympic gold secured from a secondWimbledon campaign last summer, Ivanisevic is convinced Murray will feel less of a strain at his home major.
“Last year he had a lot of chances. In the final he was a better player for a set and a half and then had a bad game, Federer stepped in,” Ivanisevic said.
“After that he won the Olympics, US Open, so it’s much easier now for him to concentrate and to not think, ‘If I don’t win Wimbledon it’s the end of the world’.
“I think it’s going to be much easier this year for him. There’s always going to be pressure. It doesn’t matter if you are British or not British. When you come to Wimbledon there’s pressure, especially if you’re a favourite and he is one of the favourites.
“But it’s definitely less (pressure) because he has a Grand Slam already.
“He is one of the favourites. Four guys Murray, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic -one of the four is going to win. I don’t know which one.”