Spain's Rafael Nadal / AFP PHOTO / Christophe ARCHAMBAULT EYES ON THE PRIZE

LONDON, United Kingdom — Having seen long-time rival Rafael Nadal tighten his iron-grip on Roland Garros, Roger Federer aims to extend his personal dominance of Wimbledon by claiming a ninth title at the All England Club.

Despite his 37th birthday fast approaching and having been stunned by Borna Coric in the Halle grass court final last weekend, Federer will still start Wimbledon as the overwhelming favorite to clinch a 21st major.

Federer set new records 12 months ago when he defeated a hobbling Marin Cilic in the final, becoming both the tournament’s oldest champion and first to claim eight titles.

That victory came after he decided to skip the entire clay court season, a strategy he repeated this year as the Swiss sit at home watching Nadal romp to an 11th French Open.

“I’m really going to love going to Wimbledon but being the defending champion always creates pressure,” said Federer, who was quick to shrug off his loss to Coric which ended a 20-match win streak on grass.

A week earlier, he had been buoyed by capturing the grass court title at Stuttgart.

“Regardless of whether I won or lost in Halle I will be one of the favorites at Wimbledon.”

Federer won his first Wimbledon — and maiden Slam title — in 2003.

Since that time, he has added seven more at the All England Club with Nadal winning twice, Novak Djokovic three times and Andy Murray taking two titles.

Lleyton Hewitt, back in 2002, was the last man outside the modern-day ‘Big Four’ to win the championship.

Hardly surprising then that Federer cannot see any great upheaval anytime soon, even tipping Nadal — and his notoriously unreliable knees on a grass court — to go deep in the tournament.

“I think Rafa is one of the big favorites,” said Federer who famously lost the 2008 final to the Spaniard in what is widely regarded as one of the finest Slam showdown of all time.

“When Rafa is healthy, anything is possible for him.”

Nadal’s Grand Slam count now stands at 17, just three behind Federer with whom he has split the last six majors.

The world number one has endured a bittersweet relationship with Wimbledon despite being champion in 2008 and 2010.

He missed the 2009 tournament with injury and since finishing runner-up to Djokovic in 2011, has gone out in the second round in 2012, first round in 2013 and last 16 in 2014.

In 2015, he was beaten in the second round, missed 2016 while, 12 months ago, lost 15-13 in the fifth set to Luxembourg journeyman Gilles Muller in the fourth round.

After winning Roland Garros this month, Nadal hinted he may skip Wimbledon and also sat out Queen’s.

But the 32-year-old Spaniard has been practicing on grass in Mallorca and is cautiously optimistic.

“I had to spend time adapting physically and in my tennis to the surface,” said Nadal.

“I will certainly arrive at Wimbledon with less preparation, but I’m going with confidence high because I played very well through the whole clay court season.”