Roger Federer looked back on his historic title success at the French Open and declared: "It was meant to be."

The Swiss completed his haul of grand-slam titles and moved level with Pete Sampras on a record 14 Majors by posting a 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 victory over Robin Soderling thanks to a near flawless display in rainy conditions in Paris.

After struggling for form throughout the tournament as the pressure built and his chief rivals - Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - were all eliminated, Federer saved his best performance for last.

After losing the last three finals here to Nadal, Federer finally got his hands on an elusive title that was threatening to overshadow his illustrious career.

"I do feel like it was meant to be," said a glowing Federer.

"I was in desperate situations this tournament. The terrible rain, the swirly winds and the dangerous opponent (today) was just part of it.

"I was able to handle it for two weeks."

Federer, the second seed here, joins Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all four grand slams.

Picking up a sixth Wimbledon crown this summer will allow him to surpass Sampras' amazing record.

"That almost gets forgotten - it's an incredible feeling reaching 14 and not being derailed by losing grand slam finals to Rafa (at Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open this year).

"Equalling Pete's record here in Paris is unbelievable. And Andre (Agassi), the last man to win all four Majors, giving me the trophy seems just very fitting in a way."

Federer admitted he went through an "emotional rollercoaster" as he closed in on victory against Soderling.

After being outclassed in a one-sided first set, the Swede put up more of a fight in the second and third although he never came close to reproducing the kind of form he displayed in beating reigning champion Nadal in round four.

Federer sent down aces in all four of his service points in the second set tie-break.

And in the third set, he broke in the first game and held on for dear life thereafter, saving break points in the fourth and final games.

"My good start relaxed me," said Federer, who never lost his serve and conceded just two break points in total.

"It was key to stay with him in the second set and not give him any opportunities with my serve. And I played one of the greatest tie-breaks in my career.

"It was very hard mentally for me to stay in the match. My mind was always wondering, 'What if, what if?' You can't help it. They (the thoughts) kept on coming back.

"I was very nervous at the beginning of the third set because I realised how close I was. And the last game was almost unplayable. I was just hoping to serve some good serves and hoping he was going to make four errors. It was that bad.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster for me."

Soderling lost for the 10th time in 10 meetings against Federer, and he admitted he could do nothing about the Indian sign the Swiss holds over him.

"He always has me on the run - for me, it's impossible to dictate the game against him," said the 24-year-old.

"Roger's game doesn't suit my game. He doesn't allow me to be aggressive. After every match, I say I played badly. But he makes me play badly."

Soderling insists the win over Nadal will always stay in his memory.

"I made possible what was supposed to be impossible. No-one had ever done it before here. I will remember that for a long time," he said.

Speaking immediately after the match, Soderling labelled Federer as the greatest player of all time.

The Swiss reacted by saying: "I guess we'll never know who is the greatest player of all time.

"I think that should be judged at the very end. I'm not addicted to beating all possible records but I'm proud of them.

"I'm just trying to have the best possible career I can."