Roger Federer [Images] applauded rival Rafael Nadal [Images] after beating the Spaniard 6-0, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 on Sunday to win a fourth consecutive Wimbledon [Images] title.

The Swiss dropped his only set of the tournament on his way to an eighth Grand Slam title but ended a five-match losing sequence against the 20-year-old Spaniard.

"I would like to say it's been a great tournament for Rafael as I honestly didn't think he was going to play in the final," Federer said on Centre Court after slipping on his cream blazer.

"I thought (Andy) Roddick and (Lleyton) Hewitt were the main contenders but it was a fantastic effort."

• Images from the final | Federer fact file

Nadal, who beat Federer to win his second French Open last month, was not expected to do well on Wimbledon's quicker grasscourts despite being seeded number two.

In becoming Spain's first Wimbledon men's singles finalist since Manuel Santana in 1966, however, the Mallorcan proved that he will be a threat for years to come on the surface.

Federer, who has won a record 48 consecutive matches on grass, said he was just relieved to get through this one.

"It's fantastic, I never thought it possible but I made it," he said. It's an incredible feeling. I was doubting myself early on in the tournament, with the draw and the expectations so to win this all over again is fantastic.

"It was awfully tight and I was getting awfully nervous in the end too.

"I had a great start to the match 6-0 and then it was really close and that first set might have helped me out in the end. I thought it was high class tennis and I really enjoyed it."

On matching Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg's feat of winning four consecutive Wimbledon titles, the only other players to manage it in the professional era, Federer said: "They are heroes of the game.

"This is the most important tournament and to win four is out of this world. I'll come back and try for a fifth. I'm not going to quit."

Nadal was quick to congratulate Federer.

"He played unbelievable today," he said.

"This is a difficult surface (for me) but this year I played my best tennis in my best tournament of the year. It's been unbelievable.

"I hope I will come back and win, just hope I don't play one guy like Roger. I improved a lot this year so I'm very happy."

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