Novak Djokovic can't win Wimbledon 2015 final if Roger Federer continues to serve as majestically as he did against Andy Murray

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John Lloyd believes Roger Federer will win if he continues serving form
Federer faces Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon 2015 final on Sunday
Clash at SW19 is a repeat of last year's in which Djokovic won in five sets
Federer served superbly as he beat Andy Murray in semi-final on Friday

Published: 16:31 EST, 11 July 2015 | Updated: 16:32 EST, 11 July 2015

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If Roger Federer serves like he did on Friday in the final against Novak Djokovic, he wins. I have no doubt about it. If Federer serves that way and backs it up, the pressure he will put on Djokovic will prove too much.

Federer’s performance against Andy Murray was brilliant. I spoke to Andy Roddick — who played Federer 24 times and knows him very well — and he put it in Federer’s top five matches of all time. One of those was when Roddick got smashed 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-finals in 2007.

I knew Federer had been serving well during the tournament, but I thought before Friday’s match that he might try too much on his first serve and miss a few. But his first-serve percentage was 76 per cent overall and there were periods when it was up in the mid-80s.

If Roger Federer serves like he did on Friday in the final against Novak Djokovic, he wins, believes John Lloyd

Federer served imperiously as he knocked Andy Murray out in the semi-final on Friday

It reinforces one thing that I have said about Federer — his serve is definitely in the top 10 of all-time. Maybe a lot of people would not say that because he does not serve as many aces as guys like Ivo Karlovic, Goran Ivanisevic and Pete Sampras.

But Federer’s serve is as good as theirs, simply because of the accuracy. He may not produce as many outright aces, but they effectively are aces when he is serving at that percentage in the corners.

Murray is one of the best returners in the game and he never got a read on it all. He just could not pick it and did not know where it was going. He tried to move position and it did not do any good.

Federer is the consummate professional. He works on every part of his game and has zoned into this rhythm on serve. One of the interesting aspects is how much credit he gives to the larger racket he is playing with. He has said how much it has helped him on the serve and volley, and it has improved every part of his game. It shows you how important equipment is these days.

Novak Djokovic will be under too much pressure if Federer repeats his semi-final display, says Lloyd

Djokovic (left) beat Federer in five sets to lift the Wimbledon title last year on Centre Court

If Federer continues to maintain a first-serve percentage of 76 per cent and hits the spots, then he beats Djokovic. Federer has only lost once when he is at 76 per cent or higher on his first serve. In that case, Djokovic is not going to break him, so the only way for the Serb to have a chance would be to win sets in tiebreaks. I see nothing from Djokovic’s return that tells me he is better than Murray in that department on grass.

An 18th Grand Slam title for Federer at the age of 33 would be right up there with 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus winning the Masters in 1986, because you have got to look at the physicality of it. Golf is more mental at that age.

I am not sure when Federer will eventually retire. I think he will continue as long as he feels he can still play special matches. He loves the game too much. There is nothing that can replace being a professional athlete in terms of the adrenaline and getting fired up in the morning.

It does not matter how much money you have or how many business deals, it’s not the same and a lot of players struggle when they stop.

Federer defies age. When I heard him say at the London 2012 Olympics that he wanted to play at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, I thought he was joking. I thought there was going to be no way he would still be playing another four years later. Now I would be shocked if he does not go past that.

We are very lucky to have Federer. Every time you watch him play, you should treat it as if it is going to be his last match. Enjoy it while he is still here because I do not think there is going to be one like him for many years, if ever. The records he has broken will not be broken again.