NEW YORK (Bloomberg) – Four-time us Open tennis champion Roger Federer says he and golfer Tiger Woods are the world's only dominant athletes.

"At the moment, it's Tiger and myself," Federer told reporters yesterday in New York, one day after winning his 12th Grand Slam singles title.

Federer, two Grand Slam titles shy of the career record set by Pete Sampras, also praised Kobe Bryant of the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Lakers, motorbike racer Valentino Rossi and Formula One driver Michael Schumacher.

Federer, 26, and Woods, 31, both endorse Nike Inc.

Woods on Sunday sent a congratulatory e-mail to Federer, who beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets at the National Tennis Center in New York.

It was a good day for both Federer and Woods, who became the fifth – and youngest – golfer to reach the 60-win mark with a victory in the BMW Championship outside Chicago.

Woods has 13 major golf titles, five away from Jack Nicklaus's record.

Federer described Woods's e-mail as "nothing crazy" when asked to comment on the content.

"He was very happy," Federer said. "I said, 'Well done', as well. Winning for both of us in the same weekend is kind of special."