Federer has too much on his mind

'My star sign is Leo and they like to be the centre of attention. I do enjoy it but, of course, there are some moments when you'd rather just be on your own. I think Pete Sampras is a Leo, too, but maybe he doesn't like the attention as much.'

Sampras. You just cannot get away from him. Or at least Federer cannot. An idol - admittedly behind Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg - a seven-times Wimbledon champion and the man who provided Federer with a memory that even Sunday's triumph over Mark Philippoussis cannot trump.

The king is dead, killed at Wimbledon by Federer's slaying right hand in an epic fourth-round encounter two years ago and now all but retired. Long live the king.

Federer added: 'I've been asked a lot of times, "What is the best moment for you?" Somehow I don't think I can ever top the Sampras victory because it came so unexpected to everybody, myself as well.

'I was the total underdog and he won Wimbledon every year. I came here and beat him in five sets. My first Centre Court appearance, first time I played against him, my idol.

'Just to be able to play him was a dream, to see really how good he was, how he plays. In the end, winning in five sets was just too much for my emotions. Even though Sunday's final was totally different, my most special victory will probably always be the Sampras match.'

Quite an admission and testimony to Sampras's aura, especially at Wimbledon. Federer possesses the talent to approach the American's achievements. The question is whether he has the same hunger.

Delve into his personality and the first instinct says no. He is laid-back, enjoys cricket, thanks to his South African mother Lynette, and talks of his meeting with rock band Metallica as one of his favourite moments.

He has a passion for football and has yet to take up an invitation to join in a training session by FC Basle coach Christian Gross.

Hardly the concentrated outlook of a man who could dominate men's tennis for a decade. Or so you would think. Inside the placid exterior that cracked on Sunday afternoon lies the heart of a young man whose teenage years were characterised by smashed rackets and on-court tantrums.

When you have been touted for greatness for so long, it is harder to accept defeat.

Federer said: 'I was very talented and I always thought, "How can it be that I'm not playing well?" But it's not only about hitting the ball. It's also about how you get to the ball and how you are mentally. There are a lot of things involved which I was not conscious of before.

'Now I can look forward slowly. I still want to enjoy this moment but I know eventually I'll have to set new goals because I need new motivations. For some I'm only living up to my promise now. For me, it's already been a good career. All that was missing was a Grand Slam.

'I didn't think I could fulfil my dreams here in Wimbledon. But now it's happened, I know I can do it more often. It needs a lot of work. My life will change in some ways but I don't think there will be much change in my tennis. I'll just keep the same attitude, do the same work. You've got to work, otherwise people will catch you up.'

Something that is not likely to happen. Unless it is amid the backslapping and cow-bells of Gstaad.

The BBC claimed six million viewers for the men's final, although American broadcasters NBC reported their lowest rating on record, 13 per cent down on last year's final between Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian.