20 years ago today, Roger Federer achieved No. 1 in the ATP Rankings for the first time. He held it for 237 straight weeks.
Roger Federer started the Australian Open in 2004 as the world number two. After his semi-final victory over Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero, No. 3 at the time, nothing stood in the way of Federer ascending to the throne. The Basel native beat Russian Marat Safin in the final, winning his second Grand Slam title and welcoming him to the top of the ATP rankings for the first time the next day.
The reactions in the international and Swiss media were overwhelming. Then-federal president Joseph Diess also sent a congratulatory telegram to the 22-year-old Federer, who had parted ways with his coach Peter Lundgren shortly before the tournament.
Even at almost 37 years old, he is still at the top
Federer is here to stay. He stayed at the top for 237 uninterrupted weeks before he was forced to hand over the No. 1 to Rafael Nadal in August 2008. The 'Maestro' regained the No. 1 spot five times, most recently in June 2018. At 36 years and 10 months old, he became the oldest No. 1 in history.
Federer is in danger of losing this record soon. If Novak Djokovic defends his current position until March this year, he will replace the bidder from Basel as the record holder.
SRF Radio 1, Morning Talk, February 2, 2024, 6:15 a.m.; SRF
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