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Federer hopes to extend 'incredible trip'

By AjayTyagi (TennisEarth.com), Submitted On

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Roger Federer once again silenced his critics, who were questioning his hunger for grand slam success after his loss to Juan Martin Del Potro in U.S Open Finals, with an emphatic victory over Andy Murray in Sunday's Australian Open Final.

Appearing in his 22nd career Grand Slam singles final, the Swiss Ace collected his 16th major title with a 6-3 6-4 7-6(11) win over the fifth seeded Scot. It is his first Grand Slam title won as a father, as his wife Mirka gave birth to twin girls six months ago.

Re-live the moments of brilliance of Federer-Murray final, click here.

"Coming here at the beginning of the year and playing so well, it's a beautiful feeling," said Federer, who moved ahead of Pete Sampras to win a record 15th major at Wimbledon last year. 

"I definitely had to play some of my best tennis to come through. That was clearly the case."

Federer became the fifth man to win at least four Australian Open titles. He first won in 2004 and then in 2006, 2007 and re-claimed it in 2010.

Here is Federer's road to the final.

R128 beat Igor Andreev 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-0
R64 beat Victor Hanescu 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
R32 beat Albert Montanes 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
R16 beat Lleyton Hewitt 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
QF beat Nikolay Davydenko 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 7-5
SF beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-3, 6-2

"I always knew I had it in my hand. The question is (did) I have it in my mind and in my legs," 

He added "That's something I had to work extremely hard at. Now I feel like obviously I'm being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up.

"I think that's also thanks to guys like Murray. They've made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances, you know, in a long time, or maybe forever."

Federer said that he had no plans of stopping and hoped his twin girls might join his wife Mirka in the players' box next year.

"My game is not as taxing as other players' games. I also think I have a very relaxed mind when it comes to the game of tennis.

"But off the court, it's a matter of relaxing and enjoying it, you know, seeing friends and families. There's more important things than tennis after all.

"I think that's something I've always had a clear vision of how my life is. I think that's also helped me to go through better and tougher phases, because I know this is an incredible trip I'm on.

"We'll see where it ends, you know. I hope not anytime soon."