Federer: My best is still to come

Roger Federer has warned his rivals that his best is yet to come after successfully defending his Wimbledon crown.

The Swiss star came from a set down to beat Andy Roddick in a rain-interrupted match despite not being entirely happy with his performance.

He said: "There is room for improvement but it is very difficult as there are so many tournaments it is difficult to find time to practice.

"I would like to serve and volley more. I did that last year but somehow the confidence was not there this year."

He attributed his ability to fight back against his American opponent to the experience gained last year when he defeated Mark Philippoussis in the final.

Motivatio and confidence

He told BBC Radio Four: "I think my consistency and the experience of winning last year gave me motivation and confidence to win here again.

"I played great tennis at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year. I'm a better player this year but to play so well was surprising."

And he also had words of encouragement for 17-year-old women's champion Maria Sharapova, who won the title on Saturday against defending champion Serena Williams.

Federer believes women's tennis is now as competitive as it has been for a long while.

He said: "She (Sharapova) is so young you know. We'll see how she'll cope next year. She is very dedicated.

"It is a good step for women's tennis. The two Belgians (Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne) were not playing and we had Serena's comeback story."