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Wimbledon 2011: Novak Djokovic has mental advantage says Rafael Nadal ahead of men's final

He may have dashed British hopes with his crushing win over Andy Murray, but Rafael Nadal insists he should be considered the underdog when he meets Novak Djokovic in today’s Wimbledon men’s final.

Mind games: Rafael Nadal consider himself the underdog against Novak Djokovic Photo: PA

9:43PM BST 02 Jul 2011

The Serb is making his first appearance in a final at SW19 this afternoon, a record that compares starkly with Nadal, who has already appeared in four.

But Djokovic enters today’s contest having won his previous four matches against the Spaniard – all in finals – and that record, together with his performances at the All England Club, have ensured he will occupy the world No 1 spot regardless of the outcome on Centre Court.

It is enough to convince Nadal that he is the underdog for today’s match, even if his performance against Murray in Friday’s semi-final will have convinced

“His mental position over me today is probably a little bit better because he won the last four finals against me,” said Nadal, who is hoping to win his 11th grand slam title, five short of Roger Federer’s all-time record.

“In my opinion his total game is really complete; good serve, very good movement, his eyes are very fast and he can go inside the court very easily playing very difficult shots.

“We will see what happens but I have to play aggressively, play with intensity and with rhythm.”
When asked about the possibility of overhauling Federer’s record, Nadal replied:
“Number 16? I think about the number 10. That’s what I have at home. That’s what I’m able to see when I go back home in my bedroom. Sixteen is far away.”
Having seen Murray’s dreams blown away by Nadal in Friday’s brutal semi-final, British hopes of a title were snuffed out again yesterday when Liam Broady lost the boys’ final to Australia’s Luke Saville.
Like Murray, Broady was one set up and in control against his opponent only to collapse when he led 4-3 in the second set. He eventually lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. “It just slipped away,” said Broady, who had been hoping to become Britain’s first winner since 1962.
There was further heartache for Broady in the boys’ doubles semi-finals, when he and his Slovakian partner, Filip Horansky, were defeated by Britain’s George Morgan and Croatia’s Mate Pavic. 6-3, 7-6. Morgan and Pavic will face Britain’s Oliver Golding and Jiri Vesely in the final on Court No 1 this afternoon.News...