Rogge sent the letter to the Swiss player after he won the French Open for the first time in Paris yesterday.

It was the 14th Grand Slam victory of his career, matching the record of American Peter Sampras.

Rogge said: "I believe that arguably he is the best-ever player in the world of all times.

Federer beat Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 in a final that made even Rogge nervous.

Rogge said: "I was extremely nervous and extremely tense in the last game of the third set.

"I think Roger was nervous too."

Federer, 27, has always said that he hopes to carry on until London 2012, when the tennis tournament is due to be held at Wimbledon, where he has won a record five All England titles.

Rogge said: "I sent him a letter this morning expressing the hope he would participate in Wimbledon at the Olympic tournament in 2012 in London."

An Olympics single title is something still missing from Federer's collection.

In Beijing last year, he lost to James Blake of the United States but did win a gold medal in the men's doubles.

Federer was also praised by Sampras.

He said: "What he's done over the past five years has never, ever been done - and probably will never, ever happen again.

"Regardless if he won there or not, he goes down as the greatest ever.

"This just confirms it."