By Phil Casey, PA Sport

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Switzerland's Roger Federer fulfilled his boyhood dream by winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

Federer beat Australian Mark Philippoussis 7-6 6-2 7-6 on Centre Court and lost just one set during the Championships.

The 21-year-old burst into tears after securing victory to add to his junior title at the All England Club in 1998.

"It's an absolute dream come true for me," said Federer, who had previously failed to fulfil the potential he showed when ending Pete Sampras' 31-match unbeaten run at Wimbledon in the fourth round in 2001.

"I was always joking when I was a boy I'm going to win this and now I have it! It's the best ever. It was the most important match in my life. It's just an absolute dream, to lift the trophy is very emotional.

"I've cried a few times on big occasions because this tournament means so much to me. I've had great experiences with the 1998 junior victory and 2001 when I beat Pete Sampras and now this. I cannot understand it yet because it's too good."

Federer was instantly tipped to dominate Wimbledon in the manner of seven-time champion Sampras, but was just happy to get his name on the honour roll of past champions.

"This is one of his seven, it's so far away I'm just happy to be on the board," added Federer, who was determined to enjoy the traditional champions' dinner after turning down his invite in 1998 to prepare for a tournament in Gstaad instead.

"It's so nice if I look at all the players who have won, a lot have been my idols. To be on the board with these people it's nice to be part of history at Wimbledon.

"To win Wimbledon as a first Grand Slam it's definitely the best one for me."

The fourth seed feared he might have to pull out of the event after injuring his back before his fourth-round match with Spain's Feliciano Lopez.

"That was a hell of a shock," he added. "I thought I had to throw in the white towel.

"I was really in big pain. I was struggling to serve, I was struggling to return, I couldn't really sit down I was hurting so much.

"The trainer gave me painkillers and a massage and I told myself if this continues for a few more games it's not worth playing, this guy was just kicking my ass.

"But I somehow stayed in the match and it got a little better, I don't know how I did it."

Federer was quick to praise coach Peter Lundgren and his friends and family, but reserved a special thought for former coach Peter Carter, who died in a car crash in 2001.

"I hope he sees it from somewhere," he said.

Meanwhile Philippoussis insisted he would win Wimbledon before he retired and takes inspiration from Goran Ivanisevic's memorable victory as a wild card in 2001.

The 26-year-old spent more than two months in a wheelchair and was told he might never play again after the third operation on his left knee in the space of 14 months.

"Goran was in the final three times before he won it so I'm never gonna give up," he said.

"There are a lot of positive things I can take away and I'm definitely going to hold that trophy up before I retire. That's for sure.

"It's made me more determined, it's not easy sitting watching your opponent lift up the trophy.

"I've been working very hard and this is only the beginning for me. I'm only going to be keener and more pumped up after what happened today."

Philippoussis has recently resumed working with his father Nick, who himself has fought a battle with cancer, and he added: "My dad just said 'This is just the beginning. Look where you were 18 months ago'.

"A year ago I was struggling to get into tournaments. Now this is just the start of many things to come."