Grown-up Roger did it the right way

To Roger Federer,whats important is not only that he finally won the French Open. Its how he did it.

I didnt think I played the greatest tennis of my life throughout this tournament. But I definitely played the right way: I was smart. I was strong. I had to show fighting spirit and all those things, Federer said Monday. Its different for me to come through this way,instead of just dominating everybody.

A day after beating Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 1 6-4 to complete a career Grand Slam and earn a record-tying 14th major championship,Federer met with reporters at a hotel in central Paris. Its where he slept the past few weeks and where he drank champagne and celebrated until the wee hours Monday morning with a group of about 60 people.

Im just mentally drained and exhausted and just so happy and thrilled, Federer said,his new trophy in tow.

Soaking up pressure

Of the 19 times he has reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament,equalling Ivan Lendls mark,this was the first time Federer played two five-set matches along the way. He dropped the first two sets of his fourth-round match against Tommy Haas before coming back,then trailed against Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals before coming through in five sets.

I feel Ive definitely become more of a man now,the last few years,where Im not scared of five-setters anymore, Federer said. I can handle the pressure.

He said hes not too concerned about regaining the No 1 ranking he lost to Rafael Nadal in August. No,Federers priority is winning more Grand Slam titles. The first chance to get No 15 and surpass Pete Sampras comes at Wimbledon,which begins June 22.

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Federers run of five consecutive Wimbledon titles ended with a five-set loss to Nadal in last years final.

The 27-year-old Swiss star considers himself the man to beat this time. I do think Im the favourite,actually,with all the success Ive had, Federer said.

Nadals 31-match French Open winning streak ended with a loss to Soderling in the fourth round. Five days later,Nadal pulled out of this weeks grass-court tournament at Queens Club,citing knee problems. Referring to Wimbledon,Nadal said: I hope I can be ready to compete by then.

Federer expects to see his nemesis at the All England Club. It seems like its not 100 per cent serious,his knee injury. I only wish him the best and I hope its not true that he will miss Wimbledon. I think its a lot of speculation at the moment, Federer said. He wasnt taping his knees here in Paris. He seemed fine,from what I saw,anyway. Ive played him so many times,I can tell when hes in pain and when hes not.

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As for himself,Federer looks forward to being the defending champion at Roland Garros for the first time.

Im sure Im going to enjoy Paris even more in the future, he said,because the pressure is off.