Monday 16 July 2012

Roger Federer reaches record 287 weeks on top of the world

Paris: Roger Federer, already the holder of a record 17 Grand Slam titles, will reach another landmark on Monday when he celebrates an unprecedented 287th week as world number one.

The Swiss legend, who turns 31 in August, had pulled level with Pete Sampras's record of 286 weeks when he reclaimed top spot after a two-year absence following his seventh Wimbledon title last week.

With the Olympics and US Open fast approaching, Federer shows no sign of his passion for the game waning despite being the second oldest man after Andre Agassi to hold the world number one ranking.

"I'm so happy I'm at the age I am right now, because I had such a great run and I know there's still more possible," said Federer.

"To enjoy it right now, it's very different than when I was 20 or 25. I'm at a much more stable place in my life. I wouldn't want anything to change. So this is very, very special right now."

Federer holds a 75-point lead over world number two Novak Djokovic and is guaranteed to hold the top ranking heading into the London Olympics.

He now has a tour-best five titles in 2012, including his 20th Masters crown in Madrid in the run-up to the French Open.

Federer has compiled a 63-6 match record since last year's US Open, going 17-0 at the end of 2011 and is 46-6 this season.

Despite equalling Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon titles, Federer believes it wasn't just his victory at the All England Club over Andy Murray in the final that enabled him to return to the top.

He believes it was due to a series of highs and lows, notably a heartbreaking loss to Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals last September where he had been two sets to love ahead with match points.

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