Tennis players are supposed to employ a good short-term memory.  It helps them better prepare for the next match or tournament by avoiding the emotional pitfalls that can come with too much wallowing in self-pity following a tough defeat or basking in the glory of a great triumph.  The best players know how to temper these emotions, but no one is completely immune.  That is why a player's result at a tournament – particularly a major – can have an effect in the weeks and months to follow.  For Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, their 2015 Wimbledon campaigns have put them in a strong position heading into the summer hard-court season.

Of the two, Djokovic had less history at stake than Federer in this past Sunday's Wimbledon final, and yet at least in some respects, it was a bigger match for the Serb.  The current No. 1 came into Wimbledon off his defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka in the Roland Garros final, which was one of the most painful losses of his career.  There were many questions as to what type of emotional scars that might leave on Djokovic, but much as he did last year, he proved his resiliency.  He was brilliant in the final, but where he really proved his resolve was in his fourth-round match against Kevin Anderson.  Down two sets, Djokovic, still stinging from Paris, could have thrown in the towel.  Instead, he dug deep to mount a comeback and give himself the opportunity to claim his third Wimbledon crown.  It was an opportunity he seized, and one that has left him looking increasingly imposing at the majors.

Djokovic will not be the only player to get a post-Wimbledon boost, however.  Federer has sent a message to the rest of the field as well.  It is true that by his lofty standards, he did essentially leave Wimbledon “empty-handed.”  He also was left fully aware of how much he has to red-line his game against Djokovic when the Serb is at his best.  But by reaching the final for a second straight year, he not only further solidified his ranking of No. 2, but proved he should still be considered a contender to win any major he enters.  Equally important for Federer in this tournament, though, was his semifinal victory over Andy Murray.  By all appearances, the Scot did not play poorly.  The Swiss just played that much better.  In fact, he carried that form into the final, and had a couple more points gone his way, he easily could have found himself up two sets on Djokovic.  He ought to take plenty of confidence away from the Wimbledon fortnight, and if that confidence enables him to continue producing that level of tennis, it is certain to take a special effort to hand Federer a loss, too.

Both men head into the US Open Series in formidable form, and it could not come at a better time for either of them.  Djokovic had a mediocre summer in 2014.  He lost early in both Canada and Cincinnati and was stunned in the semifinals of the US Open by Kei Nishikori.  That leaves him with plenty of room this summer to add to his already sizable lead in the rankings and possibly cap it off with a win in New York.  Federer relatively has more to defend, having reached the final of Canada and won in Cincinnati last season, but like Djokovic, he was shocked in the final four of the US Open by Marin Cilic.  No doubt he will be keen to build on his Wimbledon success, however, and string together another successful summer culminating with a title run in Flushing Meadows for his 18th major.  The fast hard courts should reward his aggressive play, so such a scenario is not out of the realm of possibility.

Of course, there is still a lot of tennis to be played from now through the US Open.  There are a number of players eager to try their luck on the hard courts, itching to take on Djokovic and Federer, and a lot could happen in the coming couple of months.  But there is no denying that Djokovic, followed closely by Federer, are the men to beat right now, and after their play at Wimbledon, there is no reason for anyone, including themselves, to doubt it.