Roger Federer crosses $70 million mark in career prize money – Tennis Special
Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, passed $70 million in career prize money after reaching the final of Mutua Madrid Open last week. He has become the first player in the history of tennis to do so, earning a total of $70,512,279 in
his 14-year career so far.
Federer, who turned pro in 1998, was standing at $69,746,521 in total earnings before the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in the Spainish city of Madrid. After winning the title, the Swiss earned $765,758 more in prize money
to go past the unmatchable landmark.
When Federer won $8,343,885 of prize money in 2006, it was the record for earning the most in a season. The Swiss Maestro broke his own record by collecting $10,130,620 next year. However this record was broken by reigning world
number one, Novak Djokovic, as he earned a total of $12,619,803 in 2011.
The 30-year-old has broken number of records of one of the greatest players in tennis history, Pete Sampras of USA. This record also belonged to the American before Federer overtook him. The 40-year-old had collected $43,280,489
in prize money during his 14 year career. Obviously, all the tournaments have increased their prize money considerably from the time when the American legend used to win them but Federer has overtaken him in other aspects too.
Sampras also held the record for winning most Grand Slam titles in tennis. The American had won a total of 14 majors which included seven Wimbledon Championships, five US Opens and two Australian Opens. The legendary American had
failed to capture the French Open title throughout his illustrious career.
The right-hander, Sampras, had broken the record of Roy Emerson, which had stood for 33 years by winning the Wimbledon Championships in 2000. At that time, Federer had not won even a single Grand Slam. No one had the slightest
of ideas that the Swiss, who had ended Sampras’ winning streak at the Wimbledon Championships by beating the latter in the fourth round of 2001 Championships, would break the record at the same venue just 10 years later.
Federer is near to breaking another record of his favourite tennis player. By winning the Mutua Madrid Open, the Swiss Maestro also replaced Nadal for the second spot in the South African Airways ATP Rankings. He is just one week
short of Sampras’ record of holding the number one position for the most number of weeks during the career. Federer has already stayed as the top ranked player for a total of 285 weeks and is just one short of the American’s record of 286.
When asked how he feels as he is closing in to breaking Sampras’ record, Federer replied, "I don't need to beat every record Pete set, he's my idol after all and I'm just happy I'm that close already.”
Federer held the number one position in May 2010 for the last time, The Swiss added, "Back then I was just trying to stay world No1 and I never really looked at Pete's record that much. I guess I could have chased it a few years
ago, just really trying to beat that record. It's no secret for any player out there that you'd rather be No1 than No2. But I look at the long term, maybe if I wasn't good enough to break that record, then maybe I never will be."
Federer will try to end Rafael Nadal’s rule at the Roland Garros and win his 17th Grand Slam in Paris. In this way, he will also get close to becoming the top ranked twnnis player in the world. Nadal, who has won 10
Grand Slam titles lies at the second spot in most prize money with $47,838,998.
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