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, achieved remarkable success in his career. He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 310 weeks, including 237 consecutive weeks, and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. Federer secured 103 singles titles on the ATP Tour, the second-most in the Open Era, and won 20 major men's singles titles along with six year-end championships, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2004: First Australian Open Win

When Federer first won the Australian Open in 2004, he earned $985,000.

2005: Laver describes Federer as an unbelievable talent

In 2005, Rod Laver described Federer as an "unbelievable talent", "capable of anything", and that "he could be the greatest tennis player of all time".

2009: Considered the greatest player ever

Between 2009 and 2018, many players and analysts considered him to be the greatest player ever.

November 2011: Ranked Federer's 2006 season as the second-best season of all time

In November 2011, Stephen Tignor ranked Roger Federer's 2006 season as statistically the second-best season of all time during the Open Era.

2012: Federer downplays GOAT claims

In 2012, Federer downplayed claims of being the greatest, stating that it is impossible to compare players from different eras.

2014: Sedgman ranks Federer number two

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'.

2018: Considered the greatest player ever

Between 2009 and 2018, many players and analysts considered him to be the greatest player ever.

2018: Tennis.com listed Federer as the greatest

In 2018, Tennis.com listed him as the greatest male player of the Open Era.

2018: Australian Open Win Prize Increase

When Federer won the Australian Open in 2018, the prize had increased to AUD 4 million.

May 2020: Tennis Channel Ranked Federer as the greatest

In May 2020, the Tennis Channel ranked Federer as the greatest male tennis player of all time.

2020: Highest-Paid Athlete in Endorsement Income

In 2020, Roger Federer ranked first among all athletes with $100 million in endorsement income, demonstrating his global appeal and brand value.

May 2021: Serena Williams described Federer as a genius

In May 2021, Serena Williams described Federer as a "genius" and the "greatest".

July 2021: Federer Named Greatest Male Tennis Player of all Time

In July 2021, BBC Sport users picked Federer as the greatest male tennis player of all time.

2021: Sampras mentions Djokovic as the greatest

When he finally won the French Open in 2009, former world No. 1s Björn Borg and Pete Sampras both hailed him as "the greatest player that played the game", though in 2021 Sampras said the greatest was now Djokovic.