Federer vs. Djokovic: What's at Stake for Each Superstar in Wimbledon Semifinal

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer each have an opportunity to do something remarkable on Friday morning at the All England Club.

When the two of them face off in the semifinal matchup the tennis-loving world hoped to see, it will be hard to determine who wants it more. Objectively, it would be Djokovic—there has been no other player at Wimbledon this year who has matched his dominance and his focus—but Federer, too, has perhaps more to prove than anyone on Friday.

The two elites have faced off 26 times in their careers, but strangely, not one of those times has come on a grass surface. Federer has the all-time lead at 14-12, but Djokovic has won the last three matchups.

Federer, at 30, has played in 13 Wimbledons and has won six of them, five of which came from 2003-2007. For the last two years, he's reached the quarterfinals, and this is the first time he's made it this far since winning back in 2009. 

If he manages to win this year, he can take over the world No. 1 ranking and will tie the all-time record with one more title. Those are not honors that have been lost on him, but still, he's trying to focus on what he does best: winning on grass.

He told the Associated Press' Chris Lehourites:

"

It is interesting that this is our first grass-court match. I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t put too much thought into it, to be quite honest, yet. I’m just happy that I’m around further than I’ve been the last couple years. 

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Djokovic, meanwhile, has lost just one set at Wimbledon thus far in 2012, and ever since losing in the French Open final to Rafael Nadal (who endured a shocking loss in the second round this year at the All England Club), his focus has been pristine.

The current world No. 1 has also won four of the last six major titles, including the 2011 Wimbledon title—but he's not looking at this year's run as a title defense.

He's simply trying to focus on the fact that on Friday, he could be facing the first true challenge he's had to face in the last couple of weeks. He'll be going up against one of the greatest players ever at Wimbledon, and he knows it.

He told the AP of Federer:

"

He has a lot of respect from me, from all the players. There is no question about it. But we are all rivals, we are all opponents. I don’t think about his history or his success or whatever too much when I’m on the court. I just want to win that match.

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The world No. 1 will either have an opportunity to keep his ranking, or he'll potentially have it seized by a grass-court legend. Regardless of what happens, Friday's match will be one for the ages.