Federer coasts to Masters win

The 23-year-old is brimming with confidence after capping a remarkable season with victory in the Masters Cup.

"Early in my career, I struggled with consistency but I couldn't get more consistent than this year," he said.

"I've really proved that on all surfaces, everywhere in the world, I can win the title. It's been incredible for me from beginning to end."

Federer's achievements in 2004 include becoming the first man since 1979 to win consecutive tournaments on grass, clay and hard courts.

The French Open was the only Grand Slam title to elude him, but the 23-year-old warned that he is now as confident on clay as any surface.

"I lost my first 10 or 15 matches on clay on the pro tour but now I have won many great tournaments," he said.

However, he has insisted that victory at Roland Garros is not his main goal for the coming season.

"My priority is to defend my Wimbledon crown and to maintain my number one ranking," he said.

He mixes his serve up so well that you don't get many opportunities to get into his service games Beaten finalist Lleyton Hewitt

His defeat of Lleyton Hewitt in Sunday's final was Federer's sixth victory over the Australian this season.

Hewitt, who lost to the world number one at three of the year's four Grand Slams, said Federer's win in the US Open final had been the most impressive of all.

"It was pretty hard to fault the way he played in the US Open, especially at the start of the match," said the world number three.

"I don't think I've ever seen a guy play that well in my life."

And Hewitt said the key to Federer's dominance this season had been his serve.

"He just mixes his serve up so well," he said.

"He doesn't have as big a serve as a Roddick or Safin but he's just got such good variety and he's able to work it around.

"He sets the point up so well so you don't get that many opportunities to get into his service games.

"And he's such an aggressive player that he's always going to get his opportunities on his opponent's service game."