Roger Federer: Wimbledon Winner Has to Be Favored at the London Olympics

Welcome back to the All England Club, Roger Federer. There's a gold medal awaiting you at the grounds should you be up to the challenge.

Surely, the man who has has won seven Wimbledon titles in his career has to be the favorite to win gold at the All England Club when the 2012 London Olympics roll around.

But here's the funny thing about that. Despite 17 Grand Slam titles, 286 weeks atop the tennis rankings and the distinction as the finest male tennis player of all-time, Federer has never won an Olympic gold medal in the singles competition.

Expect that to change this year.

For one, Federer resumed his career dominance at the All England Club this year by winning another Wimbledon title, defeating Andy Murray in the final. For another, he's playing the best tennis we've seen from him in quite some time.

And it's been awhile since Federer has played for something he hasn't already accomplished, having fallen short at the Olympics in three previous tries. He knows this will be his last shot at gold, and he'll be extremely motivated to ensure he makes the most of the chance.

It won't be easy, of course. Nothing is these days with so much talent atop the rankings in the men's game.

Rafael Nadal will be motivated, hoping to lessen the sting of his shocking second-round exit at Wimbledon at the hands of Lukas Rosol. Nadal won gold in 2008.

Then there's Novak Djokovic, who like Federer will be looking for his first gold medal. After a dominant 2011 season, the Djoker started 2012 with a bang, winning the Australian Open. But his results have regressed since, losing to Nadal in the French Open final and Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals.

He'll look to regain his top form in London.

And let's not forget about Andy Murray, who will literally be playing for Great Britain at the All England Club, rather than figuratively as the Scot was when he faced Federer in the Wimbledon final. Surely, a gold medal in London would be an amazing moment for Murray.

So no, it won't be easy.

But I'm not willing to bet against Federer at the All England Club, not with the chance to accomplish two incredible feats in the span of a few weeks.

What do you get with the tennis player whose accomplished everything in his career?

A gold medal, that's what.

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