As Roger Federer watched the yellow ball spin into the other side of the net, he sank to his knees, covered his face and knew that the French Open trophy was his at last.

It was meant to be Federer's day and not even a court intruder, gusting winds or rain showers could stop the Swiss from sweeping past Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 on Sunday to achieve sporting greatness.

After burying the 23rd seed in one hour 55 minutes, Federer held his arms aloft and looked up to the sky as he became only the sixth man to complete a career grand slam. The triumph also gave him a record-equalling 14th major crown.

With so much at stake, it was little wonder that Federer started weeping the moment Soderling paddled that final forehand into the net, ending one of the most nerve-jangling weeks in the 27-year-old's career.

The contest was not a classic but the tension was still palpable as 15,000 soggy fans cheered Federer's winners, groaned at his mistakes and applauded his spectacular shots. When it was finally all over, they exploded into a roar of deafening cheers to salute their new claycourt king.

Fittingly, Andre Agassi, the last man to achieve the career grand slam, was on hand to welcome the newest member of the select club and gave Federer a hug before handing over the trophy.

"It is a magical moment," a drenched Federer told the crowd after holding up the Musketeers' Cup high above his head before planting a kiss on to its gleaming surface.

"It might be the greatest victory of my career. Andre said it was my destiny to win this.