How Roger Federer Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Roger Federer across different fields.
Roger Federer, a Swiss former professional tennis player, is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 310 weeks, including 237 consecutive weeks, and finished the year as No. 1 five times. Federer amassed 103 ATP singles titles, the second-most in the Open Era, highlighted by 20 major men's singles titles and six year-end championships. His achievements and elegant playing style have made him a global icon.
1980: Greatest Wimbledon Final Since 1980
In 1980, a Wimbledon final set a high standard for thrilling matches, a standard matched by Federer's later performances.
1992: Edberg on Sports Illustrated Cover
In 1992, Stefan Edberg was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, marking the last non-American tennis player on the cover until Federer.
1999: Agassi on Sports Illustrated Cover
In 1999, Andre Agassi was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, marking the last male tennis player on the cover until Federer.
2005: Described by Rod Laver as an "unbelievable talent"
In 2005, Rod Laver described Federer as an "unbelievable talent", capable of anything, and potentially the greatest tennis player of all time.
2006: Highest win percentage since 2006
Federer's 2017 season marked a return to Grand Slam wins since 2012, the most titles since 2007, and the highest win percentage since 2006. Statistically, this season was his best since 2007.
2007: Most titles since 2007
Federer's 2017 season marked a return to Grand Slam wins since 2012, the most titles since 2007, and the highest win percentage since 2006. Statistically, this season was his best since 2007.
2007: One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2007, 'Time' magazine named Federer one of the 100 most influential people in the world due to his performance on the court and his off-court personality.
2007: Rod Laver's description
In 2007, Rod Laver described him as the best player of his time and one of the most admirable champions on the planet.
2007: Special Edition Stamp Released
In 2007, the Swiss Post in Basel released a special edition stamp for Federer.
2007: "Darth Federer" Nickname
Throughout the 2007 US Open, the American press nicknamed Federer "Darth Federer" due to his all-black attire, and "The Imperial March" from Star Wars was played during his court announcements.
May 2009: Forbes' Most Powerful Celebrities List
In May 2009, Federer was ranked 22 positions ahead of US President Barack Obama on Forbes magazine's list of the most powerful celebrities.
2009: Considered the greatest tennis player of all time
Between 2009 and 2018, many players and analysts considered Federer to be the greatest tennis player of all time.
2010: One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2010, 'Time' magazine again recognized Federer as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting his continued impact.
2010: Special Edition Stamp Awarded
In 2010, Federer was awarded a special edition stamp by Austria's Postal Service.
2010: Most Stylish Man of the Decade
In December 2019, Federer was voted by GQ readers as the Most Stylish Man of the Decade (2010–2019). The decade spans from 2010.
November 2011: Federer's 2006 Season Ranked
In November 2011, Stephen Tignor ranked Federer's 2006 season as statistically the second-best of all time during the Open Era.
2011: Reputation Institute Ranking
In 2011, Federer ranked No. 2 in the Reputation Institute's study of the World's most respected, admired, and trusted personalities, just behind Nelson Mandela.
2012: Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes
Between 2012 and 2021, Federer was in the top-10 of Forbes's list of highest-paid athletes every year.
2012: Grand slam drought ends
Federer's 2017 season marked a return to Grand Slam wins since 2012, the most titles since 2007, and the highest win percentage since 2006. Statistically, this season was his best since 2007.
2012: Impossible to compare players from different eras
In 2012, Federer stated that it is impossible to compare tennis players from different eras and that past champions are needed to pave the way for future champions.
2012: "Roger-Federer-Allee" Unveiled in Halle
In 2012, the city of Halle, Germany, unveiled "Roger-Federer-Allee" in recognition of Federer's success at the Gerry Weber Open.
2014: Ranked number two in greatest male tennis players
In 2014, Frank Sedgman ranked Federer number two, behind Jack Kramer, in his greatest male tennis players of all-time list in his autobiography 'Game, Sedge and Match'.
July 2016: Most Recognizable Swiss Person
In July 2016, Federer was ranked No. 1 on the list of the most recognizable people from Switzerland, surpassing figures like Albert Einstein and William Tell.
2016: Lack of outbursts or emotional frustration
In 2016, Federer had a cool demeanor and emotional control on the court.
2016: Most Marketable Sports Person
In 2016, Federer was named the Most Marketable Sports Person by the London School of Marketing, earning £49.2 million in endorsements and sponsorships.
2016: Street Renamed in Biel
In 2016, the city of Biel renamed the street where the national center for Swiss Tennis is located to "1 Allée Roger Federer" in his honor.
January 2017: Most Marketable Sports Person
In January 2017, Federer was named the Most Marketable Sports Person for 2016 by the London School of Marketing.
November 2017: Honorary Doctorate from University of Basel
On 24 November 2017, Federer received an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel for increasing the international reputation of Basel and Switzerland and for his charitable work.
2017: Return to Grand Slam Wins
Federer's 2017 season marked a return to Grand Slam wins since 2012, the most titles since 2007, and the highest win percentage since 2006. Statistically, this season was his best since 2007.
2017: Sports Illustrated Cover
Following his record-breaking 8th Wimbledon title and second Grand Slam of 2017, Federer appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
2018: Considered the greatest tennis player of all time
Between 2009 and 2018, many players and analysts considered Federer to be the greatest tennis player of all time.
2018: Listed as greatest male player of the Open Era
In 2018, Tennis.com listed Federer as the greatest male player of the Open Era.
December 2019: Celebration on Swiss Coins
In December 2019, Federer became the first living person to be celebrated on Swiss coins, with his face featured on a 20-franc coin.
December 2019: Most Stylish Man of the Decade
In December 2019, Federer was voted by GQ readers as the Most Stylish Man of the Decade (2010–2019).
2019: Holds Third Highest Number of Guinness World Records
As of 2019, Roger Federer holds the third highest number of Guinness World Records within one discipline, with a total of 30, including 18 performance based records.
May 2020: Highest-Paid Athlete
In May 2020, Federer became the first tennis player to top Forbes's list of highest-paid athletes in the world, earning $106.3 million.
May 2020: 50-Franc Gold Coin Issued
In May 2020, Swissmint issued a Federer 50-franc gold coin featuring a different design.
May 2020: Ranked as greatest male tennis player of all time
In May 2020, the Tennis Channel ranked Federer as the greatest male tennis player of all time.
July 2020: Featured by Swiss National Museum
On 20 July 2020, Federer was featured by the Swiss National Museum in their 100-part chronicle of Swiss history and culture.
2020: Top-Paid Athlete
In 2020, Federer ranked first among all athletes with $100 million in endorsement income.
May 2021: Described as a "genius" by Serena Williams
In May 2021, Serena Williams described Federer as a "genius" and the "greatest".
October 2021: Basel Honors Federer with Tram
In October 2021, Basel, Federer's birth city, honored him with the launch of a new tram named "The Federer Express," adorned with images from his career.
2021: Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes
Between 2012 and 2021, Federer was in the top-10 of Forbes's list of highest-paid athletes every year.
2021: Sampras said Djokovic was the greatest
In 2021 Sampras said Djokovic was the greatest.
October 2022: Publication of "The Roger Federer Effect"
On 31 October 2022, a book entitled "The Roger Federer Effect: Rivals, Friends, Fans and How the Maestro Changed their Lives" was published, featuring interviews about Federer's impact.
June 9, 2024: Doctorate degree in Humane Letters from Dartmouth
On June 9, 2024, Federer received a Doctorate degree in Humane Letters from Dartmouth, following his commencement address to the Class of 2024.
