Swiss tennis star Roger Federer recently reached a landmark victory after winning the Dubai Tennis Championship.
Not since the days of Jimmy Connors has any tennis player managed to win 100 singles titles. Connors won 109 titles during his career and Federer looks set to challenge the record. It has taken 19 years, across 19 countries and 30 cities for Federer to complete his century, with the latest title coming in Dubai.
Speaking after his win Federer said:
“It is an absolute dream come true right now. I’m delighted. It’s great to win my eighth here in Dubai and in combination with my 100th single’s title.”
The final between Federer and Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas lasted just 69 minutes, and a final score of 6-4 6-4 was all it took for the Swiss to lift the engraved award for an eighth time. It was Federer’s 50th final opponent and the 25th nationality he had played against.
Federer needs another ten titles if he wants to beat Connors record, but experts have speculated that at 37, his age may be against him.
Martina Navratilova holds the overall record for single’s crowns, winning various engraved awards and trophies an astounding 167 times. Ivan Lendl has won 94 titles, Rafael Nadal is at 80, while tennis legend John McEnroe managed 77 titles during his career.
It has taken 6,600 days for Federer to achieve his century of titles, after taking his first title in Milan back in 2001 beating Frenchman Julian Boutter. Federer’s longest match was in 2008 against Nadal, the Wimbledon final lasted four hours and 48 minutes.
