Federer Roger Ranked #1 For 300th Week

Written by: Staff on 12th October 2012

Federer Roger Ranked #1 For 300th Week

epa03396658 Swiss tennis player Roger Federer during his training at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 13 September 2012, for the Davis Cup World Group play-off between the Netherlands and Switzerland held from 14 till 16 September. EPA/TOUSSAINT KLUITERS |

Roger Federer is quietly celebrating another tennis record after reaching the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters. By doing so, the world’s best assured himself of an historic 300th week atop the ATP rankings over the course of a world-beating career which may never be matched.

Federer clinched the deal in the third round as he beat compatriot and friend Stanislas Wawrinka against whom he owns a 12-1 record with success in their last nine hardcourt matches. I’m happy I’ve been able to reach 300 weeks, it’s an amazing number and a record for me,” said Federer. “That’s a big thing I’ve been able to achieve.”

Federer leads the chase to the year-end No. 1 ranking but has winner’s points to defend for his next three tournaments after winning Basel , the Paris Masters and World Tour Final season wrapup in 2011.

“If it (finishing No. 1 ) presents itself and I have the opportunity to, of course I’d love to finish there at the end of the year. It’s not in my control, I have so much more to defend than Novak (Djokovic) or Andy Murray .”

The 31-year-old Swiss has made an emphatic comeback over the past year after an unprecedented dry spell without winning a Grand Slam. But he showed he was no spent forces a year ago, winning his last three entries of the season and claimed his 17th Grand Slam singles title last summer at Wimbledon over Murray .

The top seed is seeking his seventh title this season after he pulled level three months ago with Pete Sampras on 286 weeks on No. 1 and then powered ahead.

“It’s obviously an amazing number. I never thought of something like this when I was a little kid, that’s for sure,” said Federer. “I was just hoping one day my dream was going to come true to play on the regular tour, play Wimbledon , maybe become No. 1 at some stage.

“So here I am at 300 weeks. It’s pretty incredible. Probably one of my biggest accomplishments. I’m very proud of that record, no doubt about it.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Federer, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Shanghai Rolex Masters, Stanislas Wawrinka, Swiss tennis news