ROGER FEDERER STILL HUNGRY
He's ready for record - and to be No 1 again
ROGER FEDERER stands on the threshold of tennis immortality but his journey will not end on Wimbledon's Centre Court today.
If he wins his 15th Grand Slam title and beats Pete Sampras' record, he will become the undisputed greatest player of all time.
But suggest that Federer will retreat into a cosy life, bask in the glory of his achievements and count his £30million career earnings and the mild-mannered Swiss ace bristles with anger.
Decline
He said: "Sometimes it's not fair towards certain players if you achieve a lot like I did for so many years and then you don't win some tournaments. People say you're already on the decline very quickly. That's the way this business works, unfortunately."
At 27, Federer has reached the stage of his career where victory over Andy Roddick in today's final will just be another landmark to tick off. But then he will move on to claim even more success.
Domestic fulfilment - his wife Mirka is expecting their first child - will not dull his competitive instincts. In fact Federer has promised her that their child will one day watch him continue to reign supreme.
Excited
The five-times Wimbledon champion said: "Right now I am just excited that Mirka's feeling great. Having our first child is quite something. And I'm also playing wonderful tennis.
"I am not really worried about my motivation in any way because I love this game too much and I'd like to stick around for a long time.
"Mirka's dream is that our child can see me play. The London 2012 Olympics here at Wimbledon is something I want to be a part of, so I am going to be around for a little while yet."
Federer will reclaim the world No1 ranking from Rafa Nadal if he wins today and that fires his ambition as much as collecting a sixth singles crown.
Focus
He said: "Being a champion who is the best at something, that's a nice feeling. I can become No1 in the world again hopefully from Monday, and that's why I have to focus on Roddick.
"It's nice to go through life being the best. Fans when they see you say, 'It's nice to meet the best'."
Federer will have the support of the Centre Court crowd, who will switch their allegiance from beaten semi-finalist Andrew Murray to the popular Swiss player.
Federer admits he would have enjoyed pitting his wits against the Scot but is convinced Murray will win the Wimbledon title one day.
Consistent
He said: "Of course I would have liked to play Murray here. But then again, I like playing Roddick, too. I'm just excited I'm in the final.
"Murray has put himself in a good position by being consistent and having a good record against top players. So things look good for him.
"But a Grand Slam is not something that comes very easily. It takes a lot of hard work. There are many young and hungry players out there.
"Nadal is going to come back for the US Open and so forth. So, you know, it's not an easy thing to do, but Andy is definitely going to have his shot.
Beaten
"I think the story definitely was Murray in this tournament. Because of where he comes from, because of how good his game has got, he had a real chance of winning here."
Federer has beaten Roddick in 18 of their 20 meetings, including three times at Wimbledon. The American will be contesting his third final, having lost to Federer in 2004 and 2005.
Roddick has dreamed of lifting the coveted title since he was a small boy.
He said: "I've envisaged lifting that trophy many times. We used to wake up and watch Wimbledon on TV. I am sure I thought about it even then.
Tough
"I don't look back on my previous finals negatively at all. I know how tough it is. But I am very excited about this one.
"I didn't know if I was going to get to play a final at Wimbledon again. I am thankful to have that opportunity."
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