ATP: Flashback: When Roger Federer became number 1 in the world for the first time

14 years ago today: Roger Federer climbs to the top of the world rankings for the first time – and remains at the top of the rankings for a total of 302 weeks. Will he soon be building up his record?

At the first attempt, things should not quite work out yet: Already in the summer of 2003, after his premiere title in Wimbledon, Federer has the chance to replace the leading Andy Roddick – but loses the direct duel in Montréal in just under three sets.

Six months later, he’s doing better. Roddick, Federer and Juan Carlos Ferrero are three players who have the chance to leave Melbourne as number one – after Roddick’s exit in the quarter-finals, Federer and Ferrero will play out number one in the semi-finals. For Federer it’s a clear thing: 6:4,6:1,6:4 for him, who will be the new number 1 regardless of the final result. Shortly after that, the Swiss player’s first win in the tournament, Down Under – 7:6 (3), 6:4,6:2, he beats Marat Safin in the final.

This was followed by a long, lonely reign: Until August 2008, Federer remained at the top of the pack and thus 237 weeks in a row – a record to this day. His successor Rafael Nadal keeps him one year away, then it’s once again the turn of the Maestro, who climbs to the top again after his 2009 Wimbledon victory over Andy Roddick – until June 2010, when Rafael Nadal replaces him again.

In 2012, once again after the Wimbledon tournament and the tournament victory over Andy Murray, Federer will be the world’s number one in the rankings for the last time, staying at the top until November and extending his record series to 302 weeks.

The big question: will there soon be a fourth term in office? Federer is currently only 155 weeks behind Rafael Nadal…

Oh yes: After Federer, Pete Sampras is the world’s number one in the record books with 286 weeks, followed by Ivan Lendl with 270 weeks, Jimmy Connors with 268 weeks and Novak Djokovic with 223 weeks. Rafael Nadal is currently standing at 160 weeks.

Already 16 years ago Federer dreamed of the number 1, like this guestbook entry from St. Gallen. Anton am Arlberg shows…