Federer is the fifth man to win the Australian Open four times

World number one Roger Federer believes younger players like Andy Murray are bringing the best out of him.

The 28-year-old lifted his 16th Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open after a straight-sets win over world number four Murray.

"Guys like Murray have made me a better player," he said after a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (13-11) win on Sunday.

"I think this has been one of my finest performances in a long time, you know, or maybe forever."

Federer's win makes him the fifth man in history to win four titles in Melbourne.

The Swiss has also won Wimbledon six times, the US Open five times and the French Open once.

With the first major of the year under his belt, the calendar Grand Slam is now within his reach, but Federer claims it is not a target.

"I try to give my best everywhere I go to, because I think there's not only the Grand Slams," he said.

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"I won't just put the entire season just around trying to win the calendar Grand Slam. I mean, it's something if it happens, if it does, it's great; but it's not something that's like my number one goal. Not at all.

"It's the same as I haven't put a number on how many Grand Slams I want to try to win. Whatever happens, happens.

"I really want to try to enjoy the end to my career, because I've reached already so many goals I thought were never possible. I really want to just enjoy the tour, and that's what I'm doing at the moment."

Federer ended last year's final in tears after an agonising five-set defeat by Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final that left him stranded on 13 Grand Slam titles, one short of Peter Sampras' all-time record.

However, with Nadal injured, Federer secured an emotional first win at the French Open to draw level with Sampras before he broke the record at Wimbledon.

Federer's win in Melbourne underlined his dominance of the men's game, and the 28-year-old has not yet started to consider retirement.

"I know this is an incredible trip I'm on," he said on Sunday. "We'll see where it ends. I hope not any time soon.

"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.

"Off the court, it's a matter of relaxing and enjoying it, seeing friends and family. 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 tougher phases."

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