There have been many great Wimbledon champions, but Roger Federer has the ability to become the best yet.

The man who dethroned the once invincible Pete Sampras and put an end to the American's dominance at the All England Club has become the new power on the lush lawns of SW19.

With one hard-court Grand Slam title already in the locker from Australia, and perhaps another to follow in the United States later this year, it would only seem a matter of time before the Swiss masters the clay at Roland Garros. It is difficult to imagine a more complete player.

Federer's greatest strength is perhaps his composure in the face of immense pressure.

Never once did the softly-spoken 22-year-old lose his cool during the prospect of a fightback from former champion Lleyton Hewitt in their last-eight encounter, and he slept soundly after rain halted his semi-final clash with Sebastien Grosjean before clawing back a 4-0 deficit in the third set tie-break to book his place in a second successive Wimbledon final.

Sunday's final with Andy Roddick was no exception with Federer showing just why he is the world number one after fighting back from the loss of the first set to the fired-up American.

In many ways, Federer is much like the man he deposed at the All England Club in 2001.

Like seven-times champion Sampras, Federer lost in the opening round on his first two visits to the championships as he struggled to make the transition from juniors to the senior tour.

And like Sampras, the young man from Basle took a while to develop a game for grass - only to eventually find the perfect formula.

Sampras was 21 in 1993 when he began his dynasty, the same age Federer was when he first lifted the famous old gold trophy; in fact their birthdays are a mere four days apart in August.

As modest and unassuming a player as you could find, Federer would, though, never dream of comparing himself to any of the Wimbledon legends he is now destined to join.

Those who have gone before him are in no doubt the Swiss player possesses both the talent and the temperament to eclipse their own achievements at the All England Club.

Boris Becker, the man who first claimed the singles title as a 17-year-old and would go on to win Wimbledon twice more, proclaimed: "He plays tennis like they used to play, like Ilie Nastase.

"He plays all the shots of tennis and that's something we don't really see any more."

Stefan Edberg faced Becker in three consecutive Wimbledon finals from 1988, twice beating his great rival, and he has claimed: "I think you can put myself, Sampras and Federer in the same mould.

"We play, not exactly the same, but we do play similar. We all pretty much have got the goods.

"We sort of move well on the court and play similar with serve-and-volley.

"I was there. Maybe Sampras took over from me and now Federer will take over from Sampras."

The Swede added: "I think Federer has the greatest game of all the young guys. I think he has the game to stay at the top for years."

As for the man himself, he is just happy to continue entertaining the crowds at the most special venue of them all.

"This is my favourite place to play tennis," he says.

"The tradition, the Centre Court, the atmosphere, everything around it - these are all the things which make this tournament very special.

"Somehow you fall in love with this place. This is what also happened with me."

The grass courts of the All England Club clearly enjoy his company too, and on the evidence of the past fortnight, look set to continue to do so for many years to come.