Federer wanted this one badly, which is why he played so well. With his typical mix of precision and power, the Swiss marvel drubbed Roddick 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-4 in Sunday's final.

Even by the top-ranked Federer's high standards, his latest performance was special. Gliding across the lawn he loves, he always seemed to be in the right place to choose the right shots -- some of which only he could hit.

By beating the No 4-ranked Roddick and No 2 Lleyton Hewitt in the last two rounds without dropping a set, Federer strengthened his case for consideration among the game's great players. He became the third man since 1936 to win three consecutive Wimbledon crowns, joining seven-time champion Pete Sampras and five-time winner Bjorn Borg.

Still just 23, Federer joined a list of three-time Wimbledon winners that includes Boris Becker and John McEnroe.

"I can't believe the way he played,'' Becker said.

"We are watching greatness unfold.''

"He's the greatest talent of all time,'' McEnroe said.

Federer improved to 5-0 in Grand Slam finals. He's the first man since Tony Trabert in 1953-55 to win his first five major finals.

"I amaze myself how incredible, actually, I use my talent to win,'' Federer said. "Nobody would have ever thought it would be this extreme, basically dominating the game, winning three Wimbledons.

"One, you think, `Wow, that's fantastic.' When you end up winning three, you're really starting to wonder, `What have I done right?'''

The title was the eighth this year for Federer, whose game remains unrivaled in its versatility. He can attack or play from the baseline, depending on the opponent and surface. Each of his shots -- serve, forehand, backhand, volley -- ranks with the best in the game. He possesses an uncanny knack for rising to the occasion, winning in his past 21 tournament finals.

"He's the most physically gifted player I've played against,'' Roddick said.

"But with that, he has just become so solid mentally. ... If he keeps up this level, I don't know many people in history who would beat him.''

Federer will be chasing history in the years to come. He has won 36 consecutive grass-court matches, and next year he'll try to break Borg's record of 41. With Wimbledon titles the next two years, he would match Borg's modern record of five in a row.

And then there's Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles. Sampras won his fifth major title a month before his 24th birthday, which means Federer -- who turns 24 on August 8 -- is right on pace.

Not that Federer is unbeatable. As he noted during the trophy ceremony, he lost this year in the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open.

But he has beaten Hewitt eight times in a row, and he's 9-1 against Roddick. He'll be the favourite to repeat as champion at the US Open in two months, and oddsmakers already list him as an 8-15 favorite to win Wimbledon next year.

"Obviously for the next few years, I'll definitely be a huge favourite for this tournament,'' Federer said.

"It doesn't mean necessarily I'll take them all.''

Among those searching for a way to challenge Federer's supremacy is Roddick. He has lost to Federer at Wimbledon each of the past three years, including in last year's final. Against everyone else, he's 32-0 on grass since 2003.

"You just have to sit back and say `too good' sometimes -- hope he gets bored or something,'' Roddick said.

"I have loads of a respect for him, as a person as well. I've told him before, `I'd love to hate you, but you're really nice.'''