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NEW YORK - Roger Federer hoisted aloft the US Open trophy for a fourth straight year yesterday after victory over Novak Djokovic before swiftly turning his gaze to Pete Sampras and the all-time record for Grand Slam titles.
The victory was worth US$2.4 million ($3.53 million) to the
Swiss world number one, but the only figure Federer really cared about was moving his Grand Slam titles haul to 12 to tie Roy Emerson for second place on the all-time list, two behind Sampras.
"I think about it a lot now, honestly," Federer, 26, said when asked about his quest to reign as the most successful Grand Slam winner in tennis.
Federer, who became the first man since Bill Tilden in the 1920s to win four US titles in a row, has also won five Wimbledons in a row - the only man to possess such a streak in the final two Grand Slams of the year. Despite all his Grand Slam experience, he still got nervous before the big matches.
"You're like, 'I hope I didn't come all this way to lose'. You start asking yourself questions. Of course, the more I win the more I ask myself questions. In the end to win, it's relief, happiness, just all together."
The Swiss master said his greatest advantage was his mental toughness and how he could raise his game on the big points.
Federer said his game has changed a lot since he was an up-and-coming 20-year-old like Djokovic.
"I would chip and charge, serve and volley a little bit, play like my idols basically - Becker, Edberg, Sampras.
"Then I realised things were slowing down. The new string generation came along where returning and passing shots was made easier. It was harder to attack in some ways.
"But at the same time that helped me now because I do have the game to attack, I do have the solid volleys, I do have the opportunities and the option if I have to. That's good that I did it when I was young. I took some chances.
"Maybe that cost me a lot of matches, but the reward was fantastic. It's been a long road. I had to work hard on my game. In the end, I think I've really come along in the last few years."
In the past two years, Spain's Rafael Nadal has been Federer's chief rival, beating him in the finals of the past two French Opens - the only slam that has so far eluded him. Federer said Djokovic, who defeated him in this year's Montreal final after beating Andy Roddick and Nadal on the way, might join Nadal as a challenger to his supremacy.
"It's very possible, you know. Honestly I've enjoyed the challenge of young guys challenging me. This is probably my biggest motivation out there."
He was unsure how close world number three Djokovic was to overtaking Nadal as number two.
"Number two, number three, doesn't matter much," said Federer. "It's number one that matters. That's how it goes."
- Reuters