The 2007 Men's Champion ©Getty / C. Brunskill

Roger Federer has admitted that Rafael Nadal ran him so close in this year's men's singles final, his first words to his great rival afterwards were to tell the Spaniard that he believed the title could have belonged to him.

Federer said that his fifth Wimbledon title was definitely his hardest-won yet - against an opponent he has now faced in four grand slam finals. "I told Rafa at the net that he deserved to win," he revealed.

"Rafa is playing phenomenal tennis. He's definitely improved yet again, I think. He had more of a game plan this year than he had last year. I think last year he came out with nothing to lose and kind of hit hard but didn't know why.

"This year he's changed his game a little bit. He plays a bit more aggressive, knows the game on grass much better. That's why I think he's not only a good clay courter, he's a good all-round player.

"That's what is going to happen anyway in the future, that everbody will be able to play on all different surfaces because it is slowing down so much. It was almost impossible to get to the net from the baseline because you neutralise the opponent so well."

"He came so close today that I think he deserves a title here. He's not getting any worse. It was a tough match and I have the highest respect for him."

Federer is already a legend of Wimbledon but the part played by other Wimbledon champions in his victory charge this year was considerable.

Of course his fifth victory in five years saw him match the legendary achievement of Bjorn Borg, who looked down from the Royal Box. Federer said that the presence of Borg and other Wimbledon greats of the recent past had inspired him.

He said: "It was a huge occasion, huge pressure for me, huge pressure. Bjorn Borg was sitting there, Jimmy Connors sitting there, John McEnroe sitting there, Boris Becker sitting there. You know for me it's a big moment. Then in the end to lift the trophy, it's a special memory. I'll have it for all of my life."

And straight after the match, Federer was ushered into the clubhouse where the board showing the full list of winners - including the Swiss's latest entry - is displayed. Standing there waiting to greet him was Borg and Federer said of their meeting: ."It was very special, we gave each other a Swedish hug. We like each other very much, you know, from far away. To see him after the match was very fitting in my point of view."

Another former champion had an even more direct influence on this latest success as Federer revealed he had practised with former champion Goran Ivanosevic before the final. He said: "It's good to have a hit with a lefty before the finals because I have played against six right handers. I asked Goran yesterday if he wanted to hit with me and he said 'sure, I'm around'. I was very happy he did that."

Speaking on his own game plan, he said: "I concentrated really hard on my serve so I did not get under pressure.

"Unfortunately I got broken in the first set after I broke early on. But he played well, returned well. I started to pick up my serve at the beginning of the fourth set. I really couldn't get the aces I wanted and that made it hard for me. But my serve kept me in and I definitely won the big points today."

And on those crucial final points, Federer said: "So many things go through your mind. On match point I had had one beforehand. I played it well, he had a good slice on that. The second one I said let's do it again, play aggressive on the second serve. It paid off so I was thrilled."

The world number one now has 11 grand slam titles and is third on the all-time list, having pulled level with Borg and Rod Laver, and is still only 25.

Somewhat surprisingly for one of the sport's great winners, his answer was: "I just want to enjoy tennis as well and not just put myself under such pressure all the time that if I don't win the Olympic Games or whatever, I won't be able to sleep for the rest of my life. That’s not the way for me."

But he relishes the idea of continuing his great modern-day rivalry with Nadal, who has defeated him in the last two French Open finals, saying: "I win my share. He wins his. It’s a good rivalry, I think.

"We’ve been at the top for over 100 weeks together. It’s like building up to one of the great rivalries. But sometimes we haven't lived up to the expectations in our matches in the majors especially.

"I think maybe that was maybe a bit of a problem. You can't always play five-set thrillers. I’m happy it happened today. I left as the winner, it was perfect."

Written by Barry Newcombe

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Roger Federer