FOUR successive Wimbledon championships, eight Grand Slams, 39 tournament titles in all. The milestones just keep piling up for Roger Federer. Is the 24-year-old Swiss player on the way to becoming the best ever?

“I am maybe heading down that road,'’ Federer said after subduing nemesis Rafael Nadal 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6- 7 (7-2), 6-3 in the men’s final on Sunday.

“By winning today and making it four in a row, it’s a very elite club. There’s more to come maybe. I have the opportunity.'’

His next goal: Equalling Bjorn Borg’s record of five straight Wimbledon titles. The Swedish great was the champion at the All England Club from 1976-80.

Beyond that, Federer is on course to surpass the all-time record of seven Wimbledon men’s singles titles, shared by Pete Sampras and William Renshaw.

“I don’t really feel like I’m playing for the records,'’ Federer said. “I play this game because I love it.'’ But the numbers can’t be ignored.

Federer is tied with Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall with eight Grand Slams. Clearly within his reach is Sampras’ record of 14 major titles.

“I’m very well aware of the records,'’ Federer said. “This is maybe a little extra motivation. Maybe if in four years’ time I’m so close to so many records again, that’s what’s going to keep me going. But at the moment it’s not. When you start passing guys who are legends, this is when it hits you.'’

Federer is the first man to reach five straight Slam finals since Fred Stolle in 1965. He’s played in 16 consecutive tour finals overall going back to June 2005, and won 48 grass-court matches in a row.

Federer’s coach, Tony Roche, thinks he can only get better.

“The way he played for the two weeks, he had a tough draw coming in here,'’ Roche said. “But to not only win, but the manner that he won, it shows what a great player he is. I know he wants to improve. As long as he has that attitude, there’s no reason he can’t.'’

Federer said his overall, two-week performance was his best yet at a Grand Slam. He sailed through a tough draw that included grasscourters Richard Gasquet, Tim Henman and Mario Ancic.

The next Slam is the U.S. Open, a tournament Federer has won for the past two years. Nadal lost in the third round last year.

With Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick no longer the forces they were, men’s tennis will continue to be dominated by the Federer-Nadal rivalry.