Top achievements of 2012: Roger Federer topples Sampras record
Swiss Maestro Roger Federer broke Pete Sampras record after reaching 300 week at number one in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings. He re-claimed his crown after conquering Great Britain’s number one Andy
Murray in the final showdown at the Wimbledon Championships.
Currently ranked number two in the world, Federer lost his top rank to Rafael Nadal two years ago. As a result, he was short of one week with tying Sampras record of 286 weeks as world number one. Despite a monotonous season in 2011, the Swiss ace re-kindled
his spark this circuit and ultimately climbed back to world number one in summer.
Federer started his campaign this season standing at number three in the ATP World Tour Rankings. He moved up a gear towards the end of 2011 as conquered the Swiss Indoors, BNP Paribas Masters in Paris and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. The Swiss carried
his momentum into this circuit and reached far in almost every tournament he participated.
He secured a semi-final berth at the Roland Garros but cruised to the title-round at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle in the grass court season. After losing to Tommy Haas in the final at Gerry Weber Open, Federer went berserk at the All England Lawn Tennis
and Croquet Club. He stunned top seeded Novak Djokovic in a four set thriller to set up a date with the final showdown. The Swiss made an epic comeback from a set down to outsmart the home favourite and capture his 17th Grand Slam title.
As a result, the Swiss climbed to the top rank at the ATP World Tour Rankings and eventually extended his run to 300 weeks.
“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,” said the Swiss veteran in a press conference after re-claiming
his crown. “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.”
The Swiss Maestro also grabbed a silver medal at the London Olympics the following month and grabbed six titles this season.
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