TIM Henman believes Andy Murray will have to slay two sporting supermen if he is to complete a hat-trick of Wimbledon title wins this summer. The 30-year-old from Dunblane will go in at SW19 in a fortnight's time as both World No 1 and defending champion, only to have been upstaged during 2017 thus far by two of the sport's golden oldies. Not only did Roger Federer, now aged 35 and old enough to have two All England Club meetings with Henman on his resume, roll back the years to win a record 18th Grand Slam at Melbourne Park back in January, but Rafa Nadal was back better than ever as he claimed a record 10th major title at Roland Garros. According to Henman, up in Gleneagles yesterday to participate in the Brodies Tennis Invitational, the only surprise any more is that anyone is surprised about the achievements of these supreme athletes.

"I’ve given up being surprised by Rafa and Roger," said Henman. "Because, if you’re surprised, you’re naïve. They’re not normal. They are just such incredible sportsmen that they defy logic.

"What Federer did is amazing," added the Englishman, four times a semi-finalist at SW19. "To have six months off and then come back like that, playing the way he did in Melbourne, the back it up in Indian Wells and Miami, it’s remarkable. Then Rafa took over on the clay. And it’s incredible to watch. People like us, we try to make rules on what you should do when you get past 30 – but these guys are different animals."

Henman believes the sudden Indian summer in these two legends careers makes this year's Wimbledon the most fascinating in recent memory. Nadal and Federer may be leading the way in terms of ranking points this year, but Murray and Novak Djokovic - now working with Andre Agassi - are looking to reclaim their ascendancy.

"Before, it was Federer and Nadal with Murray and Djokovic trying to catch up," he said. "Then it flipped and we had Murray and Djokovic at the top. Now? You could make a pretty good argument for any of them. That’s what makes it fascinating to watch, especially when you add another variable like playing on grass."

You might not think it, given the longevity of the 'fab four' of men's tennis, but fortunes can change quickly. This time last year, after all, Djokovic was World No 1 and in possession of all four major titles. “If we were having this conversation 12 months ago we would be talking in the context of Djokovic possibly being the best player of all time," said Henman. "Now he is down to four in the world and hasn’t won a Slam since.

"I think Andy will have another three or four years, for sure," added the Englishman. "It was good to see him play the way he did in Paris, having come in with no form, not being well the week before, yet still finding a way to go far in the tournament."

Another title at Queens Club, where his five singles titles are the most of any man in history, would be another good sign. “It is the ideal way to prepare for Wimbledon ... although I don’t think the results will have any bearing at Wimbledon," he said. "It is so unique. For a home-grown player it is the biggest and best tournament in the world. Of course you would much rather do well but I lost in the first round at Queens and made the semis at Wimbledon. It is a great tournament in its own right and the grass courts are as good as anywhere.”