Despite US glory, Wimbledon still holds Federer's heart

By Bill Scott Sep 10, 2007, 7:52 GMT

New York - Even four US Open titles won't sway the loyalties of steady Swiss Roger Federer, who completed his near-total domination of the 2007 Grand Slam calendar by hoisting a fourth consecutive trophy at the US Open.

The weekend win in three sets over big-match novice Novak Djokovic thrilled the Swiss but won't change his priorities. Federer has claimed Wimbledon, Australian and US titles this season, missing out against on Paris to Rafael Nadal.

'Wimbledon obviously is always going to be number one,' said the only player to even win both Wimbledon and New York in the same season four times in a row.

'But New York has definitely grown on me the last few years.

'I think especially since that famous final (in 2005) against Agassi here I started to really love this tournament.

'I realize actually what kind of a big time event this is, with 24,000 people in the stadium, the city. Just the difficulty to win here. I wasn't aware of it in the very beginning when I came on tour.'

His North American hardcourt season completed with another huge win, Federer will pick his shots, playing next on the ATP in three weeks as he defends his title in Tokyo after competing in Davis Cup rounds against the Czech Republic.

And as always, Team Federer is focused on the big picture, with the all-time record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles held by Pete Sampras now just two more trophies away.

The victory over Djokovic pushed Federer past Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, who held 11 majors.

'I think about it a lot now, honestly,' said the Swiss. 'In the beginning I felt pushed a little bit in the corner, put under pressure about the situation because you don't win slams like that, it's just too tough.

'These two and a half weeks, they're so draining. I'm exhausted in the end. It's a great relief just to finally maybe have a good night's sleep without thinking about the upcoming five-setter I have to play.

'So to come so close already at my age is fantastic, and I really hope to break it.'

While he keeps his victory talk short and to the point, Federer still knows how to dream.

With his chances of smashing the Sampras mark more than possible by this time next season, he can allow himself to speculate.

'I really don't know (how many I'll finally have). I hope more than Pete.'

Meanwhile, Federer will come up against the now-retired Sampras in a series of Asian exhibitions in November after the end of the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.

'We play in Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, and also Macau three of them in a row - hopefully I won't have to come from behind.'