Tennis/ US Open: They talked about being invincible, as well they might. It had taken a long time for Roger Federer and Tiger Woods to get together, and although Federer admitted that having the world's top golfer sitting in his box put extra pressure on him during the US Open final, they drank champagne together afterwards, consorting like the sporting kings they are. "He knew exactly how I felt out on the court, and that's something that I haven't encountered before," said Federer.

After beating Andy Roddick 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 for his ninth grand slam title, at the same time becoming the first man to win the US Open and Wimbledon back-to-back for three consecutive years, Federer was clearly thrilled to share and reflect on the moment with Woods: "He knows what it is like when you have the feeling that just nothing is going to go wrong."

Many sportsmen and sportswomen may experience this, but precious few on a regular basis. And this was what made their meeting so special, for they both remain in active pursuit of their sport's pinnacle: to be the best ever.

"I'm shocked myself how well it's been going over the four years," said Federer. "Not only to be compared to former great tennis players, but especially now with other great sporting athletes."

Yet at this moment of high achievement he cast his mind back to the problems, pressures and pain of his early days. "People said this guy has got some talent, but he can't get his mind right, he's not fit enough. That stuff hurt me. I was at a junction, faced with the choice of the talented road or the hard-working road. I chose the hard-working road and it paid off."

Now the pressure brings only joy. "I love getting goose bumps walking out on centre court and then serving for the match. These are the moments you dream of. I always knew that I was talented, that I had the potential to win a slam, but winning so many, it is just a different league."

Nevertheless Federer recognised that Rafael Nadal, by beating him in the French Open, and then reaching the Wimbledon final, was treading on his hem: "After winning Wimbledon, I sort of said, 'Okay, whoever wins the US Open is really better'. Now I totally deserve to be number one for the rest of the season, and hopefully I can back it up again next year."

Invincibility, vulnerability - the two are bedfellows, and it was fascinating to note how the rise of Nadal had impinged on Federer's perceptions of his pre-eminent position. The Spaniard has beaten him four times this year, most conclusively at Roland Garros, where he denied the Swiss a possible calendar grand slam and the opportunity of joining that elite club of five, including the recently retired Andre Agassi, who have won all four slams. Clearly this remains Federer's greatest challenge.

Pete Sampras won his 14th and final slam at the US Open when he was 31 years old, so there is obviously every chance Federer, 25 last month, could overtake him. As for winning the French Open: "All I can try to do is give myself the best chance. That's what I've been doing the last two or three years. Before that I was just not good enough."

The higher Federer has set the bar, the greater the efforts of his contemporaries to raise their own games. Roddick, recently guided by Jimmy Connors, has rediscovered his self-belief and has the power always to be an awkward opponent if his confidence is high, although - Nadal apart - perhaps only Marat Safin has the combined power and talent to unsettle Federer seriously in the near future.

As for Andy Murray and the other aspiring youngsters such as France's Richard Gasquet and Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, they know they must take the road signposted hard work. Talent may out, but not before, as Federer discovered, it's been given a hefty kick up the rear and told to get its act together.

• Guardian Service