So now he has finally done it. At long last, after ten previous attempts, some of his most heart wrenching defeats, long hours of soul searching and the humiliation of last year’s final annihilation, Roger Federer has won the French Open.

Finally he has the full set of Grand Slam titles, becoming on the sixth man in history to achieve the feat. Now he is level at 14 with Pete Sampras as the greatest collector of major trophies and this year’s Wimbledon, beginning in just a fortnight, presents him the perfect opportunity to go one better.

What a wondrous time for the man so many dared to write off as a spent force just a few weeks ago. What a truly awesome achievement by a player who is supremely gifted but nevertheless repeatedly demonstrates that there can be no short cuts from continuous hard work and true dedication.

Can any of us who hold sport rather than simply tennis dear deny him that all so predictable tear as the magnitude and importance of his victory over Robin Soderling sunk in. Federer lets very few people through in his own private inner sanctum but everyone appreciates just what winning this for so long elusive title meant to him.

This drizzly afternoon on the south western edge of Paris was career defining, the moment he hit the concluding service winner against Robin Soderling to round off a largely routine straight sets victory was a moment he will remember for the rest of his life. And the fact there was the familiar face of Andre Agassi, the last man to complete the set ten years ago, waiting to welcome him into a very select club made it all the more special.

Many will say this is conclusive proof that the Swiss is now indisputably the greatest player of all time. Others might maintain this victory was a little hollow because the opposition came not from Rafael Nadal but a player ranked 25 in the world who was making a nervy debut in a major final.

It is easy to agree with the first supposition and even easier to argue with the second. Winning a title is not just about the final but the whole seven matches in two weeks package. It is a survival of the fittest because a champion’s durability is the most important thing.

Analysis of the final as a match is easy. Soderling started nervously when it should have been Federer brimful of anxiety in the knowledge he would never have a better opportunity to win the title he most craved. Therefore it was another mark of the champion’s true class that he used his opponent’s apprehension and immediately laid down the upper hand which never seriously looked like being wrestled away.

Of course Federer’s nerves tightened a little at the end. Which human beings wouldn’t with such a great accomplishment so close at hand. But he got the job done and did it with some aplomb.

Nowhere in the world does Federer have to confront his own demons like he does at Roland Garros. For so many years he was left to reflect that although he learned the game of tennis on clay, he just could not win the biggest tournament played on the surface. Now those demons can be forever banished.