MACAO: Tennis great Pete Sampras tipped Roger Federer yesterday to regain his Wimbledon crown from Rafael Nadal, who will be carrying extra pressure as defending champion.

The American, who won Wimbledon seven times, said he sensed Federer was hungry for another title.

"It will be interesting for Rafa to come back as defending champion as before he was always just a contender, so there will be a bit more pressure on him this year," he said as he launched the Venetian Macau Showdown.