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Nadal concedes Djokovic has Wimbledon edge

Novak Djokovic has beaten Rafael Nadal in four finals this year © Getty Images

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ESPN.co.uk will be providing live scores and analysis from Wimbledon throughout the tournament.

Rafael Nadal goes into the 2011 Wimbledon final knowing he can do nothing to stop Novak Djokovic becoming world No. 1 on Monday, and he admits the Serb has a psychological advantage heading into their titanic showdown.

Djokovic's run to the final ensures he will pick up enough additional ATP Tour rankings points (compared to last year when he only reached the semis) in order to usurp Nadal as the world's best player. It will be a fitting moment for the right-hander, who has lost only once all year, lifting seven titles during that period.

Crucially, Djokovic has earned four of those tournament wins in finals against the man he faces on Sunday. Only Roger Federer has beaten him in 2011, and even Nadal's favoured clay surface proved hugely fruitful for Djokovic.

However, history is almost entirely on Nadal's side. His grand slam tally outranks Djokovic 10-2, twice winning Wimbledon, where Djokovic has never won. The Spaniard cares little about history though, and he makes his rival the favourite ahead of the final.

"His mental position over me today is probably a little bit better because he won the last four finals against me," Nadal said. "We will see what happens on Sunday. I have to play aggressively. I have to play with intensity, with rhythm.

"His total game is really complete; good serve, very good movement, his eyes are very fast and he can go inside the court very easily playing very difficult shots. In my opinion, his biggest ability is take the ball very early. Roger [Federer] does it very well too. That's something very difficult, and they do it very easily."

Nadal advanced to the final courtesy of a four-set win over an error-ridden Andy Murray, while Djokovic also triumphed in four against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Serb had to curb Tsonga's immense power, and he is anticipating a similar job on Sunday.

"Physically we all know that [Nadal] is superior and he's the strongest player around, the most prepared," Djokovic said. "So I'm ready for long rallies, long points.

"The four times I won against him this year can probably help me in some ways mentally prior to this match."

Asked if the label of world No. 1 adds extra pressure, Djokovic answered: "I don't need to prove anything to anybody, just to myself. I want to win this trophy. I am very much looking forward to it, very much excited. There is no bigger challenge at this point in our sport than playing in a Wimbledon final against Nadal."

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