I have totally exceeded my expectations, says Federer post Indian Wells triumph

Elated with his empathic win over Stan Wawrinka to lift his fifth Indian Wells Masters title, Swiss maestro Roger Federer has insisted that he has "totally exceeded his expectations".

Federer on Sunday once again displayed why he is called a legend as he defeated Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 in an all-Swiss final that lasted for one hour and 20 minutes.

The 35-year-old, who was out of the game for at least six months due to an injury in 2016, returned to the Tour at the start of the season in spectacular fashion, capturing his 18th Grand Slam championship at the Australian Open with a five-set victory over fourteen-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal.

"I have totally exceeded my expectations. My goal was to be top eight by Wimbledon. This is just a dream start," Federer was quoted as saying by Sport24.

"I understand the talk about (me getting back to) world number one with Andy (Murray) and Novak (Djokovic) not playing well and I'll try to back it up. But this is my 90th (tour-level) title so I'll try to enjoy this first."

"I was very sad when I couldn't come here last year so just being here is a beautiful feeling," he added.

At 35 years, 7 months, Federer became the oldest champion in the tournament's history, surpassing Connors, who was 31 years, 5 months when he won in 1981.

"It's been just a fairytale week. I'm still on the comeback. I hope my body is going to allow me to keep on playing," he said.

"I came here for the first time 17 years ago so to be here again as the champion is an amazing feeling. And I can't tell you enough what it means to me," he added.