/ Adrian Dennis / AFP – Getty Images, Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

Spain's Rafael Nadal (left) will best Switzerland's Roger Federer (right) for the Wimbledon title, predicts Bud Collins of NBCSports.com.

When Federer walks on Centre Court in hopes of winning another Wimbledon title, he’ll be relying on that same serve that capably lifted him past Safin. He’ll also be counting on his love affair with playing on grass and his steadfast confidence.

I’m sure a lot of tennis fans are wondering what kind of title match they’re in for on Sunday. Will it be a wipe-out like Nadal over Federer in the French Open final a month ago? Or will it be a tightly-contested, hold-your-breath, sit-on-the-edge of-your-seat classic?

Well, I can tell tennis fans this: If it becomes unfortunate to see a similar one-sided final to the one at Roland Garros in early June, it’s not Nadal who will likely be inflicting the punishment. After all, Wimbledon is played on grass and it’s hard to forget that Federer’s been the king of the lawns over the last five years.

My feeling is we’re going to be treated to a close five-set battle between two stars gunning for this year’s title deed to Centre Court.

Here’s one thing I write without hesitation: I truly believe that Sunday’s mens’ showdown is the most anticipated Wimbledon final since the two championship matchups between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe in the early 1980s. Borg won his fifth in a row with a five-set victory over McEnroe in 1980. McEnroe won the first of his three Wimbledon titles with a four-set victory over Borg in 1981.

The Federer-Nadal final could justly be billed as the heavyweight championship of mens’ tennis. And the odds-makers have not been leaning one way or the other like I have in my bold prediction — they say it’s even money on the match. Don’t buy that as the time has come for Nadal to put his name in the record books as a grass genius.

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Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

Venus pulls out of Wimbledon

After 16 consecutive years of always showing up at Wimbledon, winning five titles along the way, Venus Williams pulled out of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament Tuesday, citing a lower back injury.

Headlines

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Vesnina beats Ivanovic in Wimbledon warmup

Murray, defending champ Cilic in Queen's Cup final

Halep beats Petkovic for 1st career title

Federer records second 'double bagel' of career

Murray vs Tsonga in semifinal at Queen's Club

Hantuchova, Croatian teen reach Birmingham final

Federer expects 2nd half of year to be better

Berdych bows to Queen's defending champ Cilic

Headlines

• Label

Vesnina beats Ivanovic in Wimbledon warmup

Murray, defending champ Cilic in Queen's Cup final

Halep beats Petkovic for 1st career title

Federer records second 'double bagel' of career

Murray vs Tsonga in semifinal at Queen's Club

Hantuchova, Croatian teen reach Birmingham final

Federer expects 2nd half of year to be better

Berdych bows to Queen's defending champ Cilic