With three Grand Slam titles, the world's top ranking and the millionaire lifestyle that status provides, Roger Federer can well afford to smile when he reflects on his career so far.

But his happiest memory of life in pro tennis is of something more noble than the trappings of stardom.

"Definitely staying in the Olympic Village," he says, his face lighting up.

"It was just the best thing. I stayed there in Sydney in 2000 and I am staying there again in Athens. I was asked if I wanted to stay there or outside in a hotel and it was no question."

Federer, who beat American Andy Roddick to win his second straight Wimbledon on Sunday, said his Olympic experience had been profound.

"I had such a great time in 2000, it is where I met my girlfriend. I have such great memories of it.

"I was staying with the wrestlers... I was on the second floor and they were on the first so I was safe from any attacks," he laughed.

"Just being there... hanging around with the other athletes... it's amazing. It is great to see the other side. Lots of these guys are amateurs, they do other jobs or their sport is not 12 months a year like tennis.

"To them I am something like a hero, I guess," he smiled, no trace of immodesty in his voice.

"They follow my progress around the world, in the newspapers and it is great to see how they are, to share with them... to see their sports.

"Last time I went to the swimming and the badminton. In Athens I want to see some athletics - and maybe the wrestling."

A loser in the semi-finals in Sydney, Federer has set his sights on winning Olympic gold in Athens.

"I lost in the semi-finals and the bronze medal match (against Arnaud di Pasquale of France) and it was very hard for me. I remember crying a lot after that," Federer said.

"This time I hope my girlfriend and I can celebrate our fourth anniversary with me getting a medal.

"I'm on the top of my game. I've never played so consistently for such a long period of time. If I can keep this up it will mean good things for me in the future."

So proud

The front page headlines spread out before him, a broad, white smile crept across Federer's face.

"I'm so proud... so proud I could handle everything, handle all the pressure," he mused, almost to himself, as he leafed through the morning's newspapers.

"The sense of satisfaction is unbelievable. The worst thing would have been to lose early at Wimbledon, but to defend it... well, it is just amazing.

"It was all so new to me, I had never done this before, come to a grand slam as the champion."

There is little doubt it is a feeling Federer will experience many more times in a career which could not be built on more solid foundations.

The Swiss heir to Pete Sampras as king the Grand Slams, Federer has now won three slams from three finals.

On Sunday he spoiled Roddick's Fourth of July celebrations to win his second straight Wimbledon title. Sandwiched between them is an Australian Open crown won in February.

Not one to dwell on the past, the 22-year-old leant back in his chair in the Wimbledon garden he has called home for the last fortnight and was already plotting the defence of that title Down Under.

Unbelievable pressure

"It will be much easier going to Australia as champion now," he said. "Now that I have done it at Wimbledon, now I know I can handle the pressure.

"I mean, the pressure was unbelievable - the pressure I put on myself. In the early rounds I did not really enjoy it.

"I guess once I got to the semi-finals, the quarters even I was thinking 'well, okay... I could live with this'.

But I won. Now I am glad it is over... this was my dream, it was my dream to win it again."

His final against Roddick, the owner of the fastest serve in tennis, was billed as a clash of styles. Federer was only too aware of this.

"Yeah, I know... it was like 'Mr Service' against 'Mr Finesse', but I hit more aces than him.

"I am never going to serve as fast as him. I would have to change my whole service action. But I can serve consistently and that is what it is about for me."

Federer has no time to enjoy his latest grand slam title. His great sense of duty means he is playing in a tournament in Gstaad this week - on a slow claycourt in the mountains - and must be ready to go at it all over again on Tuesday.

When he fulfilled his obligations to the Swiss tournament last year despite having played a full two weeks to win his maiden slam, grateful organisers presented him with a Swiss cow - Juliette - to mark his victory in London.

"This time there's not gonna be a cow," he laughed. "I just hope they won't give me a sheep or a pig or a donkey... I'm not a very good farmer."

(China Daily 07/07/2004 page15)