We all knew it was coming last Sunday but today Roger Federer ‘officially’ beat Pete Sampras’ record for number of weeks as world number 1. For so long Federer was so close, all he needed was another weeek at the top of the game, but it seemed like a mountain, what with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic looking so dominant and with Federer reaching the age of 30! Federer wouldn’t be Federer, however, if he let the critics stop him, and knuckled down to do some hard work. Since the end of 2011, I would say, it has looked as if Federer was a real contender again, after (dare I say it!) a slight slump in form, and certainly since winning the ATP WTF last November he has had that gleam in his eyes, he shrugged off defeats more effectivly than the rest, he played more tournaments despite his age, and above all kept his cool, even when dealing with blue clay! It is for these reasons, and many more, that Roger Federer will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time, even if he hadn’t beaten Sampras’ record, this latest slice of History only cements that opinion. Federer has set the bar very high, as many believed Sampras had in his time, and I for one look forward to seeing the next generation aiming for his records as it can only inspire a higher level of tennis! Congratulations Roger Federer on all 287 days as world number one, but also for all the wonderful days in between!
I think this video below, by the ATP, sums it all up nicely!
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