Andy Roddick blasted a warning to his Wimbledon rivals after retaining his Stella Artois Championship title.

In a repeat of last year's final Roddick defeated France's Sebastien Grosjean in straight sets at Queen's Club, winning 7-6 6-4 in 83 minutes.

The defending champion and top seed had to save two set points in the opening set before taking it 7-4 in the tie-break, and came from a break down in the second to claim his 14th career title and the £67,675 first prize.

"I was a little lucky in the first set there, Sebastien had a good look at set point but I am happy to have won," said Roddick, who said he planned to watch England's Euro 2004 game with France on Sunday evening before going out to 'check out the madness'.

"My biggest concern coming in here was getting some matches on grass and getting wins over top 10 players in the process, I couldn't ask for any better preparation.

"I'm looking forward to resting the next couple of days and then trying to maintain the form going into Wimbledon.

"I'm hitting my second serve really big and that's where the difference is. I'm not sure if I have served this well before.

"I don't believe in peaking too early. Either I'm playing well or I'm not. I just want to play well and I'll take my wins where I can."

It was here at Queen's 12 months ago that Roddick first started working with coach Brad Gilbert and the pairing has been a massive success.

Roddick went on to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals - losing to eventual champion Roger Federer - and later in the year claimed his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, ending the year as world number one.

"Going into it was tough, when you have two really strong personalities there is potential for something great or disaster," added Roddick, who set a new fastest serve record of 153mph in his quarter-final and equalled it twice in the semi-final on Saturday.

"Luckily it was the first one. I was little nervous but it has been a lot of fun."

Roddick believes defending champion Federer is the favourite for Wimbledon, but includes Tim Henman, Lleyton Hewitt and himself as serious contenders.

Grosjean shrugged off the disappointment of losing the first set to break Roddick's serve to love in the opening game of the second set.

But just as the packed Centre Court sat back expecting a tight contest, Roddick broke straight back by forcing Grosjean into a rare volleying error at the net.

The next seven games went with serve and another tie-break was looming until Roddick forced another break point and Grosjean's backhand drifted wide.

Grosjean said: "If I won the first set it's a little bit different but I missed an easy forehand. I had chances in the second but lost my serve straight after breaking and he was serving so well it's tough to play against him.

"I played better than last year and it's good preparation for Wimbledon to play one of the best players in the world. He does not miss from the baseline and comes to the net more often than last year and is more aggressive after his serve."

The 26-year-old also reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon 12 months ago and must be considered a genuine contender for the title.

"I have made three semi-finals in Grand Slams, I need to take one more step so why not at Wimbledon?" he added.

"It's tough because there are so many good players but last year I did not expect to make the semi-finals.

"Hopefully I can play as well as I did last year."