Roger Federer turns 34
#HappyBirthdayRoger is trending as fans took to micro blogging site Twitter to deliver their birthday message to this talismanic tennis star.
The Swiss born, Federer turned pro in 1998. Four years later he broke into the top 10 in the rankings and since then there has been no looking back.
For 13 consecutive years now he has managed to stay within the top-10, and rarely has he been out of the top-3 positions in the rankings.
Federer made the headlines after defeating the then champion and an all time great Pete Sampras in the pre quarter’s at Wimbledon in 2001. Since then he has been creating and breaking a string of records, some of which are his own.
'Fedex', as he is affectionately called by his fans, is the second ranked player in the world at the moment. His feat of staying at the top for 302 weeks, 237 of which are consecutive, is yet another record up for a challenger to take on.
With 17 Grand Slam singles title, he holds the record for the maximum title by a tennis professional. He also won an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the doubles category, partnering up with fellow Swiss, Stan Wawrinka.
Four years later, he won a silver medal at the London Olympics in the singles division.
Federer’s all-round playing style and his ability to cover the court with minimal movements made the pundits took notice of him.
His single handed backhand and adaptability to different circumstances have struck a chord with followers of the game as he went on from just another man with a racket to successfully become the very best in the world.
He is also known for his impeccable dressing sense and the humanitarian works that he does for the under privileged children in Africa.
The father of four, Roger married his long time girlfriend and ex WTA player Mirka Vavrinec on April 11, 2009.
According to his personal website rogerfederer.com, he will be next seen at Cincinnati Tennis Masters commencing on August 15, after which he will take part in the U.S Open.
Image:Wikimedia Commons
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