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Tennis commentator Barry Millns tells us why this may yet be Federer's best chance of conquering the elusive Grand Slam

As Roger Federer takes a well earned holiday before preparing for next season at his base in Dubai, he has much to look back on in 2007 with huge satisfaction. But as a man who is still driven by the desire to prove himself the best ever, 2008 will offer him opportunities to make it his greatest year yet.

With a high regard for the history and traditions of tennis, Federer's huge admiration for Rod Laver is well known. The only man ever to complete the calendar 'grand slam' twice (in 1962 and 1969), Laver remains for many the greatest player of all time and until Federer completes his collection of winning all four major titles with a triumph at the French Open, there will be many who still question any claim that the Swiss star has outshone Australia's 'Rocket'.

Something, though, which Laver could not do, was to win an Olympic gold medal because back in the 1960's tennis was not an Olympic sport. But thanks largely to the late Philippe Chatrier, former president of the French Tennis Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee, tennis eventually secured its place back in the fold after a 64 year absence.

It did so in 1988 and for Steffi Graf her success in Seoul crowned a supreme season in which she also won all the major singles titles for a unique 'Golden Slam'. But 20 years on can Federer follow suit and in so doing surpass Pete Sampras's all-time record of 14 grand slams? You can bet he is thinking about it!

As in 2006 so in 2007 Federer won three of the four majors, a feat he first achieved in 2004. Consequently he now has 12 of them in his career and if we take them step by step next season there is arguably a better chance than ever that he will be up to 16 by mid-September.

Currently trading at [8] to achieve the full 'Grand Slam' in 2008, Federer's first hurdle will be at next month's Australian Open. Bearing in mind that he retained the title last time without dropping a set, that he ended his 2007 campaign by retaining the Tennis Masters Cup and that the new, quicker surface in Melbourne should be even more to his liking, it is no surprise that he is the [1.66] clear favourite to succeed again in the Rod Laver Arena.

As someone who is so meticulous in his preparation and scheduling, and who has done it so many times before, Federer will certainly take some beating at Melbourne Park with David Nalbandian and Novak Djokovic currently trading in the market as his nearest rivals at [13.5].

Rafael Nadal [14.5] remains the world No.2 but recent remarks from his uncle and coach Toni, although played down by Rafa himself, would suggest there is on-going concern about the 21 year-old's underlying foot injury and the punishment his body takes because of his very physical game.

How Nadal fares on hard courts over the first quarter of next year should give us a clearer indication of whether it will be an issue for the future. If it is then Federer, who finally beat Nadal for the first time on clay in Hamburg back in May, may not have a better shot at toppling the young Spaniard at Roland Garros and avenging his losses there in the last two finals.

If Federer does then he could return to his beloved Wimbledon not only bidding for a sixth successive title but with the extra incentive, if any were needed, of trying on Centre Court to break Sampras's record haul of majors! Nadal could again lead the challenge to Federer's supremacy on grass but I doubt it will be quite enough.

Beyond that Federer's thoughts will be on Beijing and the chance to make amends for his Athens failure by claiming the Olympic gold. But even if that eludes him once more, I would not bet on a fully fit and focused Federer, in his prime having just turned 27, failing to win the US Open for a fifth straight time, especially if the Grand Slam is on the line. Would you?