PARIS, (Reuters) – Roger Federer said he would never again feel any pressure in his career after clinching his first French Open title with a 6-1 7-6 6-4 victory over Swede Robin Soderling yesterday.
“It might be the greatest victory of my career,” said the 27-year-old Swiss, who equalled Pete Sampras’s record of 14 grand slam titles and became the sixth man to win all four majors.
“It takes away so much pressure. Now, I can play in peace for the rest of my career.“Nobody will never tell me again that I have not won Roland Garros.” World number two Federer was presented with the Musketeers’ Cup by Andre Agassi, the only man before him to have won the four grand slams on all surfaces.
“That he gives me the trophy, it’s too much, it was very nice of him to come here this year,” Federer told French TV channel France 2.
“He told me ‘it seems like it’s destiny for you, you deserve it’.”
Federer thanked the crowd for their warm support throughout the tournament.
“It feels good to be on the podium as the winner for once,” he said. “It is a magical moment.”
The Swiss had lost the three previous French Open finals against four-times champion Rafael Nadal, who was beaten in the fourth round by the 23rd-seeded Soderling.
“Congratulations for your wonderful tournament,” he told the Swede. A smiling Soderling said he was beaten by the “best player in history.” “Yesterday, with my coach (Magnus Norman) we were joking, like nobody can beat me 10 times in a row,” he said, referring to Federer having beaten him in their nine previous encounters.
“We were wrong.”
