ROGER FEDERER has backed Andy Murray to be a “great grass champion” in future as the pair gear up for the start of the Wimbledon fortnight today.

With defending champion Rafael Nadal forced to pull out of the championships through injury, Federer and Murray are now seeded to meet each other in the final at the All England Club on July 5.

And five-time Wimbledon champion Federer is wary of the threat posed by the 22-year-old Scot.

The Swiss said: “He has the double-handed back-hand, very unusual, he’s a great double-hander, he moves very well for how tall he is. He’ll be a great grass champion for the future.”

Murray is one of the few players with a winning record against Federer, leading their head-to-head clashes 6-2, including victory in their last four meetings.

“When it came down to the crunch we’ve played two times in finals he played very well but I was able to beat him, prior to finals he’s beaten me,” said the 27-year-old.

“I don’t want to make excuses but he played me at a time when I had back problems (which) made it hard for me to call on my best performance level. He played me the right way and was very successful. He’s a great tactician.

“I thought he handled the pressure very well last year. He also handled it in Queen’s.”

Murray comes into Wimbledon on the back of his first tournament victory on grass in the AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club, and reached the quarter-finals here last year before losing to Nadal.