He now has 20 wins at grand-slam events, four more than the next best, Rafael Nadal. At 36, he is the second-oldest player in the open era to win a slam. The oldest is Australian Ken Rosewall.
Sport provides enjoyment and relaxation for many. The feats of the likes of Federer are the epitome of that. Those who follow sport can marvel at his achievements. They can be impressed with the skills humans are capable of, and Federer in particular. They can be inspired by his talent and his perseverance.
In his case, his longevity is central to the story. He turned professional in 1998 and won his first grand slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2003.
Calls were made in the past few years for him to give up while he was close to the top. Why carry on slipping down the ranking? Why tarnish the glittering career with a mediocre finish?
But Federer had his own ideas. He worked through some injuries, had some time off and has come back strong, winning when few expected that. In the process, his stature, already massive, has grown further.
No doubt injuries to key rivals have helped him succeed over the past year, as have the lack of real star quality in young men's tennis ranks. But Federer was fit and ready to take more chances, to win more slams when most thought his day was done.
There was another Wimbledon, his eighth there, last summer. He went more than four years without a major before his 18th. He has won three of the last four he has played.
Federer has, almost always, been dignified. He has been willing to have opinions but has been measured and fair. He is hard to dislike and became a favourite.
What makes Federer's achievements all the more remarkable through most of his career is the standard of his opposition. Nadal and Novak Djokovic are greats of the game and Andy Murray is not far behind. They all put Federer under pressure.
There were times when Nadal and Djokovic had the better of Federer, and the claim Federer is the ''Goat'', the greatest of all time, might have been questioned. But, just like a difficult return of serve, Federer kept coming back. Epic matches and some epic defeats did not stand in the way of more epic matches and epic victories.
He deserves the accolade as the greatest tennis player yet.
Meanwhile, his earnings reflect his success. His tennis winnings have totalled $US115,175,682 ($NZ157.3million), and one estimate puts his net worth at $US420million ($NZ573.7million). Sponsors love him and the list, including partners, includes Nike, Wilson, Gillette, Credit Suisse, Mercedes, Rolex, Lindt, Jura, Moet & Chandon, Sunrise and NetJets.
Federer also founded in 2003 the Roger Federer Foundation, dedicated to providing education programmes for children living in poverty in Africa and Switzerland. The foundation has raised tens of millions of dollars and Federer has donated millions.
While sport these days is big business, it also provides a stage for a champion like Federer to entertain and inspire. Few would bet against him winning another grand slam tournament, and his favourite, Wimbledon, awaits in July.
