Roger Federer set a new record in tennis this week, celebrating his 161st week at #1 in the world rankings. Jimmy Connors held the former record at world number one, achieving 160 consecutive weeks between July 1974 and August 1977. Federer’s streak at number one began on February 2, 2004 and will seemingly continue indefinitely. He is currently 3,415 points ahead of his closest rival, Rafael Nadal.
I’ve been looking forward to this day to come and I’m very excited. That is definitely one of the biggest records I’ve broken so far in my career. I am profoundly proud of not only being able to compete with my opponents today, but also with history. One hundred and sixty one weeks is a long time and being able to lead this statistic from now on is a terrific feeling. As you can imagine it has taken a lot to come this far.” –Roger Federer
Federer’s homeland is gracing him with a rare honor as well: beginning April 10, Roger will adorn the Swiss one-franc postage stamp.
This has nothing to do with Federer but with the outrageous claim the ad to the left spews. Steffi Graf ruled the tennis world for 17 years??!! I don’t know who wrote that but they are laboring under a gargantuan misapprehension. Steffi ruled JACK while Monica Seles was Dominating womens tennis from 1991 to early 1993. Monica won the Australian open thrice, the French twice and the US Open twice. From May 1990 to January 1993 she won 8 Grand Slams to Steffi’s 2.
Oh and while we are on the subject of dominant–Venus was amazing in her withering dispatch of typically tough and scrappy Shahar Peer in the final at Memphis this past week. It was reminiscent of her little sisters demolition job of a certain high profile tennis celebrity. (wonder if she’s recovered from that pistol whipping yet?) Ouch!
[...] more games in a row, he’ll hold the record for most consistent wins at 50. Didn’t he set a world record last week? Tune in to Indian Wells later this week to watch history in the making. [...]