Roger Federer admits he may have to eat humble pie if Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic reach Sunday's Wimbledon final.
The 16-time grand slam champion believes the rivalry at the top of the men's game between himself and Rafael Nadal still has plenty of distance left to run.
However, this year has seen Djokovic win the Australian Open and rise to world number two, while losing just one match, and Murray remains a threat to the established big three.
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It was at Melbourne Park in January, after losing to Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, that Federer heard it suggested that he and Nadal were coming under serious threat from Djokovic and Murray.
"Let's talk in six months," was his reply at the time, Federer bristling at the suggestion he might be a fading force after one semi-final loss.
The man from Basle performed supremely well - Federer at his best - to reach the French Open final last month, before losing to Nadal in a match which could have swung either way.
Now Federer can see himself and his great rival contesting another Wimbledon final, but should it be Murray and Djokovic battling it out for glory on Sunday the most successful player in the history of men's tennis will accept the state of the game is changing.
"We've got to wait and see how this turns out," he said. "Because, again, it could be a repeat of the Djokovic-Murray final and then I was wrong. If it's not the case, then I was right."
Federer is not likely to be too affected though, whatever the outcome at the weekend.
"At the end of the day, I don't care if I'm wrong or right. I know where my game is at. I know where Rafa's game is at," he said.
"I just struggle when it goes from one extreme to the next.
"We've all been playing well, I think the top four or five guys really, for a long time.
"I think it's exciting for tennis. Trying to talk it down or talk about changes, I think it's nice that we're all playing well at the same time."
This year is Federer's final chance to win Wimbledon before turning 30, but he is showing no signs of slowing up this fortnight, dropping just one set, on a tie-break to Mikhail Youzhny, on his way through to a quarter-final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The tussle with Tsonga on Wednesday gives Federer the chance to move closer towards yet another grand slam final.
Since becoming a father to twins Charlene Riva and Myla Rose shortly after landing his sixth Wimbledon title in 2009, Federer has won just one slam - last year's Australian Open.
But he enjoys the balance between life as a professional athlete and as a father, and believes he has it about right.
"Normally when you have kids, it definitely changes to some degree your mindset. For some who were maybe living in a bubble, that definitely pops that bubble and makes you think there's definitely something else in your life," Federer said.
"I thought I always had a very good perspective, on life and on where I wanted to go, how important tennis is to me, how important other things are in life to me as well. I think I was always able to have a great balance.
"So when the kids came around for me, it was natural. It was something I always wanted to do with Mirka [his wife]. You have nine months getting ready for it while she's pregnant. You hope it all goes well, which it did.
"Obviously it's busy - it's intense with twins - but I love every moment of it. I wouldn't want it to be any different. I don't regret having them while I'm playing. I'm actually very happy I do have them while I'm playing."
If either daughter comes to Federer in a few years' time, and asks his advice on breaking into professional tennis, he would encourage them.
"Sport is good. Any sports. Just not boxing maybe," he said. "I struggle to watch that stuff in the first place - even though it's a nice sport."
Wimbledon Men's Singles Quarter-finals(3) Roger Federer (SUI) vs (12) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)
(4) Andy Murray (GBR) vs Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
(2) Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Bernard Tomic (AUS)
(1) Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs (10) Mardy Fish (USA)
Source: Latest Sports News and Results
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