Reading the back pages of Monday's newspapers over breakfast, the 21-year-old shook his head and said: "It is amazing…just the best."

Less than 24 hours after Federer scaled man mountain Mark Philippoussis to become the first Swiss to win a men's singles Grand Slam title, the enormity of his achievement was slowly sinking in.

The Basel-born player had slept for a few hours after his late-night celebrations and was poring over the papers at the Wimbledon house he had rented for the championships.

Every one was full of his heroics and every picture showed Federer with tears streaming down his face.

"There was a little too much emotion," he said, pausing to drink some orange juice. "So there's too many tears in the papers.

"I wish there were a few more of me holding the trophy but all the pictures show me crying.

"But it was something I couldn't control. It was nice to share this with a lot of people.

"I know all the 14,000 people in the Centre Court crowd weren't crying, but I know that a lot did. That's nice…nice that all those people know how I felt."

Federer has been tipped for stardom ever since becoming world number one junior in 1998.

That moment has arrived.

"Well, sure I am more famous now," he smiled. "Things will be a little different.

"Before I was just a good tennis player - now I am a celebrity."

Federer is not letting his new status go to his head, however.

Later on Monday he jets back to Switzerland to play in a claycourt tournament in Gstaad.

There will be a little reminder of his magical fortnight when he returns home, however.

To locals, this week's Swiss tournament is known as "the Wimbledon of the Alps".