It wasn’t inevitable, certainly wasn’t guaranteed, and at times seemed downright impossible.
Having climbed back to the top of the ATP World Rankings, for what can surely be a last hurrah (but maybe not) as the game’s top dog, Roger Federer has surpassed one of the last remaining records the former “Greatest Player of All Time” Pete Sampras still owned.
Having held onto the record for over a decade, Pistol Pete’s 286 accumulative weeks as the world top player has now been superseded by Roger Federer, having sat at 285 for what seemed like an eternity.
Now, surely, the question as to who is the Greatest Player of All Time can take a break. A select few of Roger’s records are as follows:
- 287 weeks as the World Top Player (Sampras had 286)
- 17 Grand Slam Titles (Sampras had 14)
- 6 Year-End Championship Titles (Lendl and Sampras had 5 each)
- Most consecutive Grand Slam Final appearances (10 – his streak of 8 is in second place); Semi-Final appearances (23 – Lendl at 10 is in second place); and Quarter-Final appearances (33 and counting – Lendl at 14 is in second place).
- Tied for the most Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open wins in the Open Era (4, 7 and 5 respectively)
- If he finishes the year at the top of the rankings, will tie Pistol Pete for the most years ended as Number 1.
Yes, other players have certain records over Roger.
Nadal has more French Opens, Sampras had a better record in Grand Slam finals, Jimmy Connors has more career titles, Bjorn Borg has a better winning percentage, etc, etc.
But no one man can claim to have had more success or been as consistent as Roger Federer.
He is, without question, the Greatest Male Tennis Player of All Time.
And, what is more, he’s not done yet.
