by Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
Roger Federer continues to make tennis history – and there is more within sight.
Just two days after he clinched another spot in tennis history as the older ever player to rank No. 1 in the ATP World Tour singles rankings at age 26, Federer won his 97th ATP singles title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Grigor Dimitrov on the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam.
Federer was a late entry into the Rotterdam field, realizing after his triumph at the Australian Open last month that he could surpass Rafael Nadal into the world No. 1 ranking by reaching at least the semifinals at an ATP World Tour 500-level tournament before Indian Wells (also with Nadal not able to play until late February due to injury). Federer chose to play in Rotterdam rather than in Dubai and the decision served him well as he won in the Dutch city for a record third time, after previously winning in 2005, defeating his current coach Ivan Ljubicic, and in 2012 with victory over Juan Martin del Potro.
Federer returns to the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2012 – three years old than the previous oldest ATP world No. 1 Andre Agassi at age 33 – and Federer will also continue to extend his record for most weeks as the world No. 1. Federer will start his 303rd career week in the No. 1 ranking on February 19.
“It’s definitely one of those weeks I will never forget in my life,” said Federer. “It’s unbelievable to get my 97th title and get back to World No. 1. It’s very special.”
Federer’s 97th career ATP singles title places him in second place all-time and he is now 12 singles titles shy of equaling the Jimmy Connors record of 109 titles. Federer has won a men’s record 20 major singles titles – four more than second place Nadal and 12 more than the number that Connors won in his career.
Federer will next play in Indian Wells in California and the Miami Open – titles he swept last year. Having to defend the ranking points in these two Masters Series events from last year factored into his decision to enter Rotterdam. Earning more ranking points in Rotterdam before his points from Indian Wells and Miami dropped off allowed Federer to sneak past Nadal into the No. 1 ranking and earn yet another historic achievement.
