For the third time in four years, Federer walked away with three of the four majors and now stands only two slams short of Pete Sampras's overall record of 14.

"Roger's got too many shots, too much talent in one body," Australian Rod Laver, the only player to have won two calendar Grand Slams, observed.

"It's hardly fair that one person can do all this -- his backhands, his forehands, volleys, serving, his court position...the way he moves around the court, you feel like he's barely touching the ground and that's the sign of a great champion."

The Swiss, still only 26, joined Bjorn Borg as the only men to win five successive Wimbledon titles in the professional era.

Surprisingly, there were murmurings that perhaps the world number one was in decline as he won only eight titles and lost nine matches this season, compared with 12 titles and five defeats in 2006.

Any other player on the tour, however, would be happy to sneak off with the world number one's loot.

Among the records Federer captured in 2007 was his streak at number one. Already at the peak for a record 203 weeks, Federer is unlikely to relinquish his top-dog status any time in the near future as he holds a commanding 1,445-point lead over nearest rival Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard once again thwarted Federer's bid to complete the calendar slam by tripping up the Swiss master in the French Open final. But at least it gives Federer a goal in 2008.

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