They are some of the most indelible images in all of sport: Bjorn Borg marking his Wimbledon victories by sinking to his knees and hurling his wooden racket high into the SW19 skies.

Now the record he created is under threat, with Roger Federer standing one match away from emulating the Swede's Open era benchmark of five consecutive All England Club titles.

For only the second time since he lost the 1981 final to his great rival

John McEnroe then shockingly announced his retirement at the age of 26, Borg is back at Wimbledon to watch Federer's quest.

Now 51, Borg says time has healed the mental scars which forced him out of the game when he was at his peak, and enabled him to will the current world number one on towards sharing his mantle.

"Records are meant to be beaten in all of sport," said Borg.

"To win five times in a row at Wimbledon is a very tough record to equal or to beat but there is always going to be some player coming up sooner or later to beat it.

"It would nice if Roger could not only equal but beat it. He is under a lot of pressure and it is not easy for him to do it.

"But he could win Wimbledon six, seven, eight times.

"He can play on any kind of surface, he is so complete.

"If he continues the way he has been doing and stays away from injuries and still has the motivation, he will be the greatest player ever."

Borg is well placed to pinpoint the motivational qualities required in order for Federer to go beyond his record and ultimately to eclipse his fellow greats like Pete Sampras and Rod Laver.

Borg passed up the opportunity to claim many more grand slam titles because he had grown uncomfortable with the prohibitive life of a sporting icon, and lost the desire which is says is essential to succeed.

"Mentally I was completely drained," said Borg, who retreated into life as a virtual recluse after retiring from the sport.

"Physically I was always in great shape but when mentally you are completely drained, it's tough.

"When I lost my motivation in tennis it was not fun any more. I did not enjoy it any more. I was still very young but it could happen to anyone. If that happens it is very difficult to continue to be successful.

"I couldn't go out of the hotel. I had to stay inside because there were always people around.

"That was very difficult so you have to find a lifestyle that fits you and that you are happy with.

"I think the motivation is the key thing and if he has the motivation to continue to play for another three or five years.

"Hopefully there will not be one day when he is waking up thinking 'I'm getting a little bit bored with this game'.

"If that day will come then he will have a lot of problems but if you look at him now as a player he looks very sure to continue to play for many, many more years."

After time away from the game in general, and Wimbledon in particular, Borg says both the psychological wounds and the desire to protect his ringfence his favourite memories, have diminished.

He is relishing the prospect of walking out onto Centre Court to watch Federer in the final, and he is also preparing to pick up a competitive racket again when he imminently rejoins the seniors' Blackrock Tour of Champions.

He continued: "I've always liked tennis, it has always been part of my life and it always will be.

"I love the game and for me to come back and play on the tour again with McEnroe and these guys is going to be fun."