Sports

LONDON – Roger Federer broke another record on Monday when he began an unprecedented 287th week as world number one.
The 30-year-old drew level with Pete Sampras on 286 weeks with victory over Andy Murray in the Wimbledon final.

That was Federer’s 17th Grand Slam title, a record-equalling seventh at SW19 and put him top of the rankings for the first time since 31 May 2010.

“I’m proud and honoured to beat Pete’s record as he was my childhood hero and I’ve always looked up to him,” he said. “It is an amazing feeling to have regained the number one ranking.

“I had set a goal with my team to try and get back to the top of the rankings, but I never thought with the depth in the game this year that I would have been able to get it back so quickly.”

Sampras added: “The hardest thing to do in sports is the ability to stay on top. Roger has been able to do so by great play and durability.”

Federer, who turns 31 in August, is the second oldest man after Andre Agassi to hold the world number one ranking.

Federer holds a 75-point lead over world number two Novak Djokovic and is guaranteed to hold top spot heading into the Olympics.