They met in the spring at Sampras' California home, Pete with his record 14 Grand Slams and Roger with his 10 and counting. "We had a conversation about how it is for me and how it used to be for him, " said Federer. "We had a lot of time to talk about it because we had a couple of days together. "It was very interesting for me just to see him because he didn't retire that long ago, and things haven't changed so much. We found many similarities in how we approached a Grand Slam. He has a lot of admiration for how I handle things, on and off court. I also feel like I am doing the right things but just to hear it from him, backing me up and being happy for me when I play well, maybe even beating his record some time, was nice to hear."

All this, says Federer, gave him "a better sense of security", whatever that may be for someone so dominantly installed at the peak of his profession. Federer confides he would love to overtake the Sampras Slam total, and since he is still only 25 and just five short of the all-time record he would seem to have every chance.

Until he got his seventh Slam, halfway to Sampras, Federer avoided even talking about it. "Now it crosses my mind much more regularly but when you lose a final, like I just did in Paris, it shows just how difficult it is to win Grand Slams. So let's see how my records are at the end of my career, then see who is the greatest." No doubt about who is the greatest of the current crop, with Federer chasing Bjorn Borg's 1976-80 run of five straight Wimbledons. He admits he can hardly bear to think about that one. "My God, I was so happy with my fourth one last year, and to put myself in position for a fifth is great. I'm happy to be back here, happy to be healthy.

To equal Bjorn would be incredible because he was one of the greatest, and he has said if anyone was to share it with him he would be happy for it to be me. That is very kind." Federer's point about being healthy is well made. In the past four years he has gone straight from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass tournament in Halle, winning that one every time but arriving at Wimbledon, in his own description, "exhausted". This summer he gave the German event a miss and says he feels much better for it, having spent time at home in Switzerland before arriving in London a couple of days earlier than normal.

He is, of course, without a coach since parting company with Tony Roche six weeks ago but professes unconcern.

"The plan for Wimbledon was that [Roche] was not going to come here anyway, so nothing has changed for me in this respect." And as he pointed out, the majors continued to come his way after he sacked his previous coach, Peter Lundgren, in December 2003 and before teaming up with Roche in 2005.

"I am well organised and have been that way for the last three or four years. My team is very settled and when I come to a tournament I have friends who occasionally travel with me." Will that team include a new coach soon?

"For the moment, I don't know. I am going through in my mind what I want, and when and how. I am not that far advanced yet." Just now, the thoughts are focused on the immediate task, conquering Wimbledon once more. I reminded him that Boris Becker used to refer to Wimbledon's Centre Court as "my living room". "I could say that too, couldn't I?" he smiled.

"I have got the keys to it at the moment, that's for sure."