As his rivals battle it out at the Rogers Cup in Canada, it is time to celebrate for Roger Federer as he turns 38 today.
The Swiss Maestro is the second oldest player currently in the top 100 after Ivo Karlovic. However, age is just a number for Federer, who has already won a trio of titles in 2019 as well as finishing runner-up at Wimbledon. His longevity on the tour has inspired both fans and players, including his nemesis Novak Djokovic.
“Roger said he hopes he give people the chance to believe at 37 years old and I hope that I am one of them. He inspires me that’s for sure.’ Djokovic said following their marathon clash at Wimbledon earlier this year.
To celebrate Federer’s birthday, here are some facts you may not know about one of the most successful players in the Open Era.
- He is the most decorated grand slam singles player in the history of men’s tennis with 20 titles. At present Federer has won Wimbledon eight times, Australian Open six times, US Open five times and the French Open once.
- Federer has spent 310 weeks as world No.1, which is more than any other player in history. The second nearest is Pete Sampras with 286 weeks.
- He is the oldest player to ever reach world No.1 in history.
- Only Jimmy Connors has won more ATP titles and matches than him. Federer’s tally currently stands at 102 titles and 1222 wins compared to Connors’ 109 and 1274.
- Federer currently has a 65% winning rate when it comes to playing a top 10 player. Overall, he has played a total of 340 matches against somebody in the top 10 and has won 221 of those.
- His best winning streak was 41 matches between 2006-2007
- In June he won a tenth title at the same tournament for the first time in his career. Doing so at Gerry Weber Open in Halle. Federer could also achieve the milestone if he wins the Swiss Open in October.
- Featured in four consecutive Olympics Games between 2000 and 2016. Winning a gold medal in the doubles at the 2008 Games with Stan Wawrinka and a silver in the singles four years later.
- In 2005 he won 81 out of 85 matches played. The only players that beat him were David Nalbandian, Richard Gasquet, Rafael Nadal and Marat Safin.
- Federer has won 353 grand slam matches in 77 tournaments player. More than any other player in history.
- Federer is the oldest player to have won an ATP title since Ken Rosewall at the 1977 Hong Kong Open when he was aged 43.
- The outcome of the first set is crucial for the Swiss player. When Federer drops the opener, he has lost the match 59% of the time (133-187). However, he has won 95% of his matches after claiming the first set (1089-78).
- Forbes magazine ranked Federer fifth in their 2019 list of highest paid athletes in the world with earnings of $93.4M. However, in the top 100 he has earned more from endorsements than any other athlete with at $86M. The second highest is golfer Tiger Woods with $54M.
- In 2007 Federer became the first living person to feature on a stamp in his native Switzerland.
- When is comes to playing other members of the Big Four, Federer only has a positive record against one of those. Leading Andy Murray 14-11 in their head-to-head. He currently trails Djokovic (22-26) and Nadal (16-24).
Federer is set to return to action next week at the Western and Southern Open. He shares his birthday with rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime, who turns 19 today. On the day Auger-Aliassime was born, Federer had a world ranking of 39th.
