Roger Federer may be the talk of the town having just become arguably the game's greatest ever player, but Rafael Nadal could well eclipse the Swiss' records.
That's the view of former 'voice of tennis' John Barrett, who feels the defending Wimbledon champion could go on to better Federer's current mark of 14 Grand Slam singles titles which he reached by winning the recent French Open.
Barrett said: "Nadal doesn't seem to make mistakes when it matters. He hits unbelievable passing shots.
"There's a strong case now to promote that Nadal might be on the way to being the best ever. He's certainly got Federer in his pocket right now."
However, Barrett is among those concerned about the longevity of the Spaniard, who has again been nursing knee injuries coming into Wimbledon - his chase-every-ball style hardly helping his situation.
"They used to say that about Borg - he used to run miles. Nadal's built like a bull, so I don't really buy it," added Barrett, who played Wimbledon 21 times during his career before his stint in the commentary box.
"If he is lucky enough to survive physically with those knees, the rest of him is alright. He will go on. His will is just phenomenal.
"How he won in Australia after his five-hour semi-final, that was unbelievable, even though the final (against Federer) went to a fifth set."
Barrett has just edited a new book on the history of Wimbledon's Centre Court. It features articles on the best players to grace the famous arena and also its greatest matches.
One of those was last year's men's singles final between Nadal and Federer, but Barrett does not have that at the top of his 'all-time' list.
"I always go back to the one everyone talks about - (Bjorn) Borg v (John) McEnroe in 1980, the famous final with the tie-break. That was very, very special," he said, when quizzed on his favourite classic Centre Court encounter.
"Borg had match points just before the tie-break and more during the course of it. McEnroe had six set points before finally winning it.
"The fluctuations and brilliance of tennis in that patch makes it so a remarkable.
"Then in the final set Borg fell down 15-30 in his first service game and only lost two points thereafter - people forget that bit."
So how about last year's classic between Federer and Nadal?
"That's right up there," admits Barrett. "It was perhaps even more dramatic than Borg-McEnroe with the late finish in evening darkness.
"It had the unbelievable recovery from two sets down (by Federer), saving two match points in the fourth-set tie-break."
Another match like that would do just nicely to finish off the 2009 championships, but what are the chances of Briton Andy Murray being on Centre Court come the final Sunday?
Barrett said: "Murray does have a chance. He's proved he can beat Federer and Nadal - there's nobody he hasn't beaten out there.
"But it's about that first title when playing against people who have already won it.
"Look at the final of the (2008) US Open - he didn't really play. If he reached a second he'd be much more prepared, but it's still a huge ask to beat Nadal or Federer in the Wimbledon final.
"He could do it though. He has the ability."
Pressed on a 2009 winner, Barrett added: "I've a sneaking suspicion Federer might just snatch it back. Federer was so upset losing last year after five in a row. He's still very, very good. Can Nadal go on making extraordinary shots without making errors?"
On the women's side, it's five-time champion Venus Williams who is once again the one to beat, he says.
"I can't look past Venus at Wimbledon. She is just so dominant when playing well with that big serve. As long as she gets enough first balls in, she's very hard to beat.
"She's such a wonderful athlete, so quick. How can you bet against her at Wimbledon? She's made for grass.
"Venus is going to hold onto the trophy for as long as she wants.
"Serena is so in and out at the moment. (Maria) Sharapova's had her injury problem which leaves a big question mark; (Ana) Ivanovic has been a big disappointment and (Jelena) Jankovic too."
Centre Court: The Jewel In Wimbledon's Crown, edited by John Barrett and Ian Hewitt and published by Vision Sports Publishing, is out now.
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