Wimbledon 2016: Roger Federer admits 'Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are big favourites'

Federer's 2016 has been impacted by knee and back injuries but the Swiss if focusing on surviving the first week at Wimbledon

Roger Federer believes he is not among the favourites to win at Wimbledon (Getty)

After a difficult first half of the year Roger Federer says that at this stage he is not even thinking about the possibility of winning the Wimbledon title for the eighth time.

“It’s too far ahead,” the world No 3 said here as he looked ahead to the start of the tournament on Monday. “Novak [Djokovic] and Andy [Murray] are the big favourites in my opinion. They’ve had such a great last six months, last few years. To me they are the ones to beat.

“I need to focus on myself, getting myself into those positions - meaning the second week – and growing momentum. Then, hopefully, the whole thing starts rolling. Clearly what’s important is getting there, getting the job done in the first week.”

Federer had a knee operation in February – the first time in his career that he has ever required surgery – and then suffered a back injury which forced him to miss the French Open. It was the first Grand Slam tournament he had missed since the 1999 US Open.

However, Federer has played two grass-court tournaments in the build-up to Wimbledon, which he said had been crucial.

“I passed that test,” Federer said. “The body can take that amount of tennis, four matches back-to-back-to-back. It’s really, really important for your mind to know. Then you also feel you can manage the five‑setters. All of a sudden you’re coming into Wimbledon with more confidence, more understanding where you're at. Now we'll see.”

Asked if he had concerns about his back, Federer said: “Look, this back has won me 88 titles, so I'm OK with it.”