Roger Federer wins 73rd career title!

While women’s tennis has struggled to find a dominant champion (see earlier post), the men’s game has an embarrassment of riches in its top three players Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

One of the three has been ranked number one every week dating back to January 2004 and since Wimbledon 2005, only one other man – Juan Martin del Potro at the 2009 US Open – has managed to win one of the sport’s four grand slam titles.

Federer, winner of 16 grand slam singles titles, was relegated to number three in the world last season – his lowest ranking since 2003. But he is storming back and has made clear he wants to reclaim the top ranking. He needs just two more weeks at the top in order to surpass the record of 286 set by Pete Sampras.

Earlier today, Federer beat John Isner in the final of the BNP Paribas Open. He became the first man to win one of the year’s biggest tournaments four times and pocketed a whopping $1 million first prize.

It was also his third tournament victory of 2012, his sixth title in his last eight tournaments played, and overall 73 career title.

“It’s been a tough tournament for all of the players with a lot of sickness,” Federer said in a courtside interview, referring to the viral infection that forced eight withdrawals in the first week. “I’m happy I survived the early rounds to give myself a chance. I couldn’t be happier.”