Roger Federer Eclipses Pete Sampras For Total Weeks Ranked At No. 1 [Video]
At times it looked very unlikely, but Roger Federer has finally taken the ATP’s total weeks at No. 1 record from Pete Sampras. As of the Monday, July 16 rankings, Federer has spent 287 weeks at No. 1, surpassing Sampras’ 286.
“It is really an amazing feeling for me to have regained the No. 1 ranking on the ATP World Tour,” said Federer. “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.”
Added Sampras, “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.”
Federer returned to No. 1 just last week after his stirring seventh Wimbledon title. The Swiss will remain ranked No. 1 for a few more weeks until the Olympics when rival Novak Djokovic has the opportunity to retain his top position.
Current total ATP weeks ranked at No. 1:
Federer 287
Sampras 286
Lendl 270
Connors 268
McEnroe 170
Borg 109
Nadal 102
Agassi 101
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Federer is scheduled to return to tennis at the end of the month for the 2012 summer Olympics in London.
A video from Federer:
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