Roger Federer will become the most successful male Grand Slam champion of all time if he can triumph at Wimbledon for the sixth time - but it's questionable if he'll be relieved of Rafael Nadal's withdrawal.

The current world number two clinched his first-ever French Open crown recently as he finally joined Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi in an elite club of male players to have completed a 'career Grand Slam' while he also equalled Pete Sampras' record of 14 major titles.

However, Federer avoided a clash with his nemesis Nadal, who had defeated him in the previous three finals at Roland Garros, and instead comfortably waltzed past the Spaniard's shock fourth-round conqueror Robin Soderling in straight sets.

Indeed, the last three times he's faced Nadal in a Grand Slam final he's lost them all and some would argue he must overcome this crippling mental block against the world number one to ensure his legacy has no question marks whatsoever.

The Swiss maestro, who dominated the game everywhere other than at Roland Garros between 2004 and 2007, will have expected more than his two Grand Slam crowns over the past 18 months - his other victory at the US Open saw him beat Andy Murray rather than Nadal in the final - but his French triumph could now give him the confidence and belief to regain his place at the summit of the men's game once again.

He arrives at Wimbledon eager to wrestle back 'his' trophy having seen his astounding 65-match winning streak on grass, dating back to 2003, ended by Nadal in an unforgettable five-set thriller in last year's final - arguably the best of all time.

And with his arch rival now out of the tournament due to continued knee problems, it's difficult to imagine any other player denying him his record-breaking moment.