Roger Federer is favourite to defend his crown and lift a ninth Wimbledon title, but would another victory for the 36-year-old prove damaging for the sport? This year’s French Open men’s singles followed the script almost word for word. Having brushed opponent after opponent aside, dropping just one set along the way, Rafael Nadal won his 11th Roland Garros crown after overcoming his nearest challenger on clay, Dominic Thiem, 6-4 6-3 6-2 in the final. Not quite a non-contest, but it was predictable, expected, seemingly inevitable. Those who loosely follow the sport will have shrugged, much as they may do at the sight of another Lewis Hamilton F1 victory, and said, ‘Well, of course that was going to happen.' For the tennis purist, there were thrills along the way; Juan Martin del Potro’s run to the semi-finals, Marco Cecchinato’s marvellous quarter-final win against Novak Djokovic, and the clash of styles as Marin Cilic beat Fabio Fobnini in five sets. But it all resulted in the same end product, akin to having a thrilling Champions League campaign end with the usual suspects winning. Oh, wait… But never mind Nadal, or his favourite football team, it’s time to focus on Wimbledon, where the overwhelming favourite is, ah, the man who won last year’s edition without dropping a set. Of course, it’s unfair to blame Federer. He can only beat who’s in front of him, and is not charged with ensuring his contests are decent spectacles. However, the fact he won last year’s Wimbledon at a canter did little to inspire the part-time tennis fan. And should it prove to be another walk in the park for Federer this coming fortnight, the familiar shrugs will be on display once more. ‘Federer again? Of course it was.' It’s worth pointing out that a 21st Grand Slam title at the age of 36 would be nothing short of remarkable, but there must come a point where we start questioning the quality of the next crop of players coming through and asking why they cannot topple the man from Basel. The simple answer is that he is arguably the greatest tennis player to have walked this earth, but it remains difficult to believe someone who has wandered this earth for 36 years can still outmanoeuvre and outclass the majority of players a decade or so younger. This is not to complain at the fact that it’s happening, but moreso to highlight the struggles of the players looking to announce themselves as the sport's next champion.