Melbourne, Feb 02: Roger Federer underlined his status as the best player in the world by storming to the Australian Open title yesterday but quickly played down his chances of a calendar grand slam.
''I have really no idea what it takes,'' said Federer after destroying Russia's Marat Safin 7-6 6-4 6-2 in the Melbourne Park final.
''If there is anybody, I would like them to step forward and say they can do it because I think it's really difficult.''
Wimbledon champion Federer assured he will become the first Swiss man to reach number one in the world by thrashing Juan Carlos Ferrero in the semi-finals, celebrating his achievement by sinking to his knees Bjorn Borg-style after match point.
However, Federer dismissed his prospects of becoming the first man to win all four grand slam tournaments in a calendar year since Australia's Rod Laver in 1969.



''I feel like not many guys can do it. I'm the only guy who has a chance this year to do it, so that's not a bad situation. We'll see what happens at the French (Open),'' he said.



Federer, who will now become the 23rd player to reach world number one since the ranking system was introduced in 1973, said his confidence was sky-high after his second grand slam triumph.



''That Wimbledon victory for me was such a dream and such a relief. But now I kind of know how it feels,'' shrugged Federer, who also won the season-ending Masters Cup in Houston last November.



''I feel like i'm living the game out there. I feel when a guy is going to hit the ball, I know exactly with the angles and the spins, I just feel that I've got that figured out.''



Playing his first grand slam tournament since splitting from Swedish coach Peter Lundgren, Federer warned that he could still improve.



''I'm maybe the most natural ball-striker. When it gets important, I feel like I can raise my game. All these little things make me a good player,'' said the 22-year-old, who prepared for his matches in Melbourne by practicing with Swiss juniors.



''John Mcenroe told me that before there were no coaches. I didn't know that. I'm not trying to introduce something new to the game.



''I'll look around and hopefully i'll find a coach soon because 22 is too early not to work with a coach.''



Two days after winning last year's Wimbledon, Federer was presented with an 800 kilogram milking cow named Juliette as a gift from tournament organisers in Gstaad.



After winning the Australian Open, Federer said anything could happen.



''I have no idea how the Swiss people will react to this one,'' he laughed. ''Swiss people tend to be a little bit different.''


Bureau Report