John McEnroe believes Roger Federer's 'clear vision' of how to play on grass will again see him crowned Wimbledon champion this year.
World number one Federer has struggled for form in 2008, winning just one ATP title prior to the recent French Open, where the Swiss was humbled in straight sets by Rafael Nadal in the final.
However, Federer's third defeat in succession against the Spaniard on the Parisian clay was quickly forgotten as he eased into the grass court season by claiming his customary Wimbledon warm-up title at Halle on Sunday, his fifth win in a row at the German event and 55th career ATP crown.
The 26-year-old's record in grass court finals now reads played 10, won 10, and McEnroe, a three-time winner at Wimbledon and now a commentator for the BBC, thinks there is little chance of that trend being bucked in 2008.
Asked whether the inconsistencies that have blighted Federer's season to date will be less apparent on grass, McEnroe said: 'I think so, because there's not as many guys that are as comfortable playing on grass.
'There are more clay court specialists because the [grass] season is so short. There only seems to be a handful of guys who have this real clear vision of what they want to do on grass.
'With Roger, when you watch him it's hard to see him losing to anybody, the guy is so good.'
In both 2006 and 2007 Federer and Nadal swept the board at the four majors, the Swiss taking six titles with two apiece at the Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon, while the Spaniard claimed his second and third crowns at Roland Garros.
That duopoly was finally broken at the start of this season when Serbia's Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open, and McEnroe believes the rise to prominence of the 21-year-old is good news ahead of Wimbledon, where Djokovic was so impressive last year until an injury forced him out of his semi-final clash with Nadal.
'I think when you've got more than two guys, it helps,' said McEnroe. 'I think it would be sweet for tennis if he [Djokovic] really got in the mix, and it looks like he's right there.
'He walks around with that strut and he's sticking that chest out like Boris [Becker] did when he was younger.
'I'd be surprised if he doesn't win a few more majors at least.'
While impressed with the quality of tennis being played by the world's three elite players, 49-year-old McEnroe insists that those further down the order in the world's top 10 need to do more to break their dominance.
He said: 'I think it's good when there are a few guys monopolising it. [But] I'd like to see some of these [lower-ranked] guys step out more and want to be up there instead of being happy to fly under the radar and make money.
'That group - [world number five David] Ferrer, [world number four Nikolay] Davydenko - seems content with anonymity, in a way. Not having to take on the responsibility that comes if you get looked at all the time and thought of as one of these contenders.'
While less than convinced by the players ranked four and five in the world, McEnroe does believe his fellow American and world number six Andy Roddick could spring a surprise at the All England Club.
The big-hitting 25-year-old has pedigree on the grand slam stage, winning the 2003 US Open and twice finishing as runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon in recent years, and McEnroe insists that Roddick will be a dark horse for the title if all the pieces fall into place when play begins next Monday.
'[Roddick] is written off quite a bit, but at the same time he's still been ranked five, six for the past five years,' he said.
'When it comes to grass, he's got the hardest serve I've ever seen anyone hit. He's got a very loose arm; he's got that huge forehand. So he's got that puncher's chance to win another major - win a Wimbledon. Most guys can't say that. He's one of a handful of guys [who can win the title].'
