ATP News Release (and video links with media): FEDERER SETS NEW ALL-TIME RECORD FOR WEEKS AT NO. 1 IN SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ATP RANKINGS
News Release:
www.ATPWorldTour.com16 July 2012
FEDERER SETS NEW ALL-TIME RECORD FOR WEEKS AT
NO. 1 IN SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ATP RANKINGS
LONDON - Roger Federer has set an all-time record for most weeks at No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings as of today, Monday 16 July 2012. The Swiss recently captured a seventh career title at Wimbledon to regain the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 31 May 2010, ensuring he would overtake Pete Sampras’ 286-week record as of today.
Federer, who first reached the No. 1 ranking on Monday 2 February 2004, has now held the top spot in the rankings for a record 287 weeks, and is assured of keeping the No. 1 ranking through to the Olympic Games in London.
Media: Download Federer Tribute Image, Video
The Swiss, who now counts a record 17 Grand Slams titles to his name, said: “It is really an amazing feeling for me to have regained the No. 1 ranking on the ATP World Tour. I had set a goal with my team to try and get back to the top of the rankings, but I never thought with the depth in the game this year that I would have been able to get it back so quickly. I am extremely proud and honoured to have beaten Pete’s record as he was my childhood hero and I have always looked up to him.”
Sampras, whose record was finally eclipsed by the Swiss, said: “Great effort. The hardest thing to do in sports is the ability to stay on top. Roger has been able to do so by great play and durability.”
Brad Drewett, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: “Roger’s amazing results over the past 12 months have been a privilege for everyone in tennis to watch. Regaining the No. 1 position and setting a new benchmark for the greatest number weeks at the top of the South African Airways ATP Rankings is an accomplishment that will rate as highly as any of Roger’s long list of records. His sublime talent and dedication have kept him near or at the very top of the game for the past decade, a truly remarkable feat. We are extremely fortunate to have one of the great athletes of all time representing our sport today.”
Roger By The Numbers:
22 – Aged 22 years, 5 months, when he first became No. 1 on 2 February 2004
30 - Aged 30 years, 11 months today as he sets the record for most weeks at No. 1
237 – Consecutive weeks at No. 1 from 2 February 2004 to the week of 11 August 2008
853 – Has compiled an 853-192 (.816) match wins record over the course of his career
75 – Career titles from 106 finals (.708) since his first title match at 2000 Marseille
17 - Grand Slam titles
20 - ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles
6 - Barclays ATP World Tour Finals titles
View Special Federer Tribute
TOTAL WEEKS AT No. 1 (as of Monday 16 July 2012)
Only 25 players have been ranked No. 1 in the history of the South African Airways ATP Rankings (since 23 August 1973). Only Jimmy Connors (8 years, 10 months, 2 weeks – from 29 July 1974 to 13 June 1983) has had a longer interval than Federer (8 years, 5 months, 1 week – from 2 February 2004 to 9 July 2012) between reaching No. 1 for the first time and regaining it for the latest time.
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ATP RANKINGS (Since 1973) - WEEKS AT NO. 1*
Player Tot. Weeks
Roger Federer (SUI) 287*
Pete Sampras (USA) 286
Ivan Lendl (CZE) 270
Jimmy Connors (USA) 268
John McEnroe (USA) 170
Bjorn Borg (SWE) 109
Rafael Nadal (ESP) 102
Andre Agassi (USA) 101
* As of Monday 16 July 2012
***Note to editors: To commemorate Roger Federer setting the record with 287 weeks as World No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings on Monday 16 July, ATP has produced a celebration graphic and video that we encourage you to use free of charge. Visit ATPWorldTour.com to download the image and video.
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