Roger Federer clinched his fourth Grand Slam title in 2004 when he secured a maiden US Open crown after defeating Lleyton Hewitt in the final.
Federer beat Hewitt in straight sets to hoist the trophy, in what was his third major triumph of the season.
The Swiss star had already emerged victorious at the Australian Open and defended his Wimbledon crown earlier that season.
Following his victory at Flushing Meadows, at the age of 23, questions were already being asked about where he ranked among the all-time greats.
Roger Federer’s reaction to winning a fourth Grand Slam title
A reporter said to him in his press conference after the final: “Some analysts say you could be the greatest player of all time. Do you care about being the greatest player of all time?”
Federer replied: “Obviously it would be nice, but the road is long, you know. Don’t forget. There’s a lot of hard work you have to put into it, you know, a lot of sacrifice.
“So I’m still all the way in the beginning. So I hope I can keep it up, you know, as long as I can.
“Once I get sick and tired of everything, and tired of travelling or whatever, you know, you never know when that day will come.
“Right now, obviously, I’m enjoying my life. It’s very busy. But travelling the world, being No. 1 in the world in tennis, is not too bad. I want to stay just a little bit longer.”
Roger Federer said he was used to the pressure after winning the US Open in 2004
Federer said of the spotlight on him: “I kind of got used to it, you know. A lot of people asking me and always putting pressure on me and saying, Well, he’s going to make it anyway.”
“Once I got my first Grand Slam, once I got my second Grand Slam, I felt even better, you know.
“Everything that the people say, for me, is either compliments and so on. But I know how hard I need to work for every title and every match, you know.
“Motivation has got to be there every day. I know how much effort I put into it. So, I mean, I hope for the people who know me, they know that this is not a normal thing I am doing right now.
“This is something out of this world for myself. I’ll look back with a smile, that’s for sure.”
After winning the title in 2004, Federer didn’t lose at the US Open until the 2009 final against Juan Martin Del Potro.
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