Roger Federer's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Roger Federer. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Roger Federer is a Swiss former professional tennis player renowned for his remarkable career. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks, and concluded the year as No. 1 on five occasions. Federer secured 103 singles titles on the ATP Tour, the second-highest in the Open Era. His accomplishments include 20 major men's singles titles and six year-end championships, solidifying his status 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

1974: Oldest player to compete in a Grand Slam final since Ken Rosewall

At the 2017 Australian Open, Federer defeated Wawrinka to reach the final, making him the oldest player to compete in a Grand Slam final since Ken Rosewall in 1974.

1974: Oldest man to reach a major final since Ken Rosewall

In 2019, Federer defeated Nadal in their 40th and final professional meeting to reach his record 12th final at the tournament, became the oldest man to reach a major final since Ken Rosewall in the 1974 US Open.

1976: Second man in the Open era to win Wimbledon without dropping a set

In 2017, Federer won Wimbledon without dropping a set, defeating Marin Čilić in the final to win a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title and his record-extending 19th major title overall. Federer became the second man in the Open era to win Wimbledon without dropping a set after Björn Borg in 1976.

1991: Oldest man to compete in a grand slam semifinal since Jimmy Connors

At the 2017 Australian Open, Federer defeated top-10 players to reach the semifinals, making him the oldest man to compete in a grand slam semifinal since Jimmy Connors in 1991.

December 1998: End of Junior Career and World No. 1 Ranking

By the end of December 1998, Roger Federer had attained the No. 1 junior world ranking and was named ITF Junior World Champion, marking the end of his junior career.

January 2001: Hopman Cup Win

In January 2001, Roger Federer won the Hopman Cup representing Switzerland, along with Martina Hingis, defeating the American pair of Monica Seles and Jan-Michael Gambill in the finals.

2001: US Open

At the US Open, Federer defeated the 2001 champion, Lleyton Hewitt, for his first title there.

2001: First Singles Title and Wimbledon Breakthrough

In 2001, Roger Federer won his first singles title at the Milan Indoor tournament, defeating Julien Boutter in the final. He also achieved an international breakthrough at Wimbledon, defeating Pete Sampras in the fourth round before losing in the quarter-finals.

2001: First Hopman Cup title

In 2018, Federer started his season by winning his second Hopman Cup title, this time partnering with Belinda Bencic, after having won previously in 2001 with Martina Hingis.

2003: Federer received ATP Fans' Favorite award in 2003

In 2003, Roger Federer received the ATP Fans' Favorite award.

2003: First Grand Slam Singles Title at Wimbledon

In 2003, Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, beating Andy Roddick in the semifinals and Mark Philippoussis in the final.

2003: Federer defeated Roddick

In 2006, at the US Open, Federer defeated 2003 champion Roddick.

February 2004: Federer ranked No. 1 in February 2004

Roger Federer was ranked No. 1 for a record 237 consecutive weeks beginning in February 2004.

2004: Dominant Performance in 2004

In 2004, Federer won three of the four majors and the Tour Finals, establishing himself as the dominant player in men's tennis. He won three of the four majors and the Tour Finals in 2004.

2004: Federer won ATP Player of the Year and ITF World Champion in 2004

In 2004, Roger Federer won the ATP Player of the Year and was named the ITF World Champion.

2004: Federer's Breakthrough Season

In 2004, Roger Federer won three Grand Slam singles titles, marking the first time since 1988 that a player achieved this feat in a single season. He secured his first major hard-court title at the Australian Open against Marat Safin, which propelled him to become the world No. 1 for the first time. He also won the Indian Wells and Hamburg Masters. He won his second Wimbledon crown over Andy Roddick.

2005: Federer's Wimbledon Victory and US Open Triumph

In 2005, Roger Federer secured his third Wimbledon title by defeating Andy Roddick. He also won the US Open, defeating Andre Agassi in what was Agassi's last major final. He failed to reach the finals of the Australian Open and French Open.

2005: Federer won Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award in 2005

In 2005, Roger Federer won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.

2005: Rotterdam Open

In 2012, Federer won the Rotterdam Open for the first time since 2005.

April 2006: Appointment as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In April 2006, Roger Federer was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF, using his platform to raise public awareness about AIDS through UNICEF public service announcements.

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.

2006: Continued Dominance in 2006

In 2006, Federer continued his dominance, winning three of the four majors and the Tour Finals. He won three of the four majors and the Tour Finals in 2006.

2006: Federer's Wins and Losses

In 2006, Roger Federer won one ATP 500 series event in Tokyo and captured the year-end championships for the third time, finishing the year as world No. 1. He only lost to Nadal four times in finals and to Andy Murray in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters. He finished the season on a 29-match winning streak.

2006: Federer won Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2006

In 2006, Roger Federer won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award.

2006: Federer's Dominance in Grand Slam Finals

In 2006, Roger Federer won three Grand Slam singles titles and reached the final of the other, losing only to Nadal in the French Open. He reached all four finals in a calendar year, becoming the first man to do so since Rod Laver in 1969. He won the Wimbledon Championships against Nadal, the Australian Open against Marcos Baghdatis, and the US Open against Andy Roddick. Federer also reached six Masters finals, winning four on hard surfaces.

2006: Career-best start to a season

In March 2018, Federer defeated Chung Hyeon in the semifinals for a career-best start to a season at 17–0, beating his previous best start at 16–0 in 2006.

2007: Most titles and best season 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: Continued Dominance in 2007

In 2007, Federer continued his dominance, winning three of the four majors and the Tour Finals. He won three of the four majors and the Tour Finals in 2007.

2007: Federer's Grand Slam Finals and Winning Streak

In 2007, Roger Federer reached all four Grand Slam singles finals, winning three of them. At the Australian Open, he became the first man since Björn Borg in 1980 to win a major without dropping a set. He captured his fourth Dubai crown, extending his winning streak to 41 matches. His streak ended in controversy at Indian Wells.

2008: First time successfully defended a major title

At the 2018 Australian Open, Federer reached the final without dropping a set, and successfully defended his title beating Marin Čilić in a five-set final. It was also the first time since the 2008 US Open that Federer successfully defended a major title.

2008: Olympic Doubles Gold

In 2008, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka won the Olympic doubles gold at the Beijing Olympics.

2008: Olympic Gold and US Open Victory

In 2008, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka won the gold medal in doubles at the Olympic Games. Federer lost his No. 1 ranking to Nadal after a record 237 consecutive weeks at the top. Federer captured his only Grand Slam of 2008 at the US Open, defeating Andy Murray in the final.

2008: Federer won a men's doubles gold medal at the Olympics in 2008

In 2008, Roger Federer won a men's doubles gold medal at the Olympics.

2008: Federer plays Nadal at Wimbledon since 2008

In 2019, Federer defeated Nadal in their 40th and final professional meeting to reach his record 12th final at the tournament. This was also the first time Federer played Nadal at Wimbledon since the 2008 Wimbledon final.

2009: Career Grand Slam at the 2009 French Open

In 2009, Roger Federer completed the career Grand Slam at the French Open after multiple runner-up finishes to Nadal. He also surpassed Pete Sampras' record of 14 major men's singles titles at Wimbledon in 2009.

2009: Federer won ATP Player of the Year and ITF World Champion in 2009

In 2009, Roger Federer won the ATP Player of the Year and was named the ITF World Champion.

2009: Cincinnati Masters win and US Open final

In 2015, Federer defeated Murray and Djokovic to win the Cincinnati Masters for the seventh time, marking the first time he defeated the top two players in the world at the same event. He advanced to his first US Open final since 2009 but lost to Djokovic. He then won the Swiss Indoors, defeating Nadal.

2009: Istanbul Open win and French Open title drought ends

In May 2015, Federer won the inaugural Istanbul Open, ending a title drought on red clay since the 2009 French Open. He reached the Italian Open final but lost to Djokovic. He lost in the quarterfinals of the French Open to Stan Wawrinka. He also won his record eighth Gerry Weber Open and reached his tenth Wimbledon final, losing to Djokovic.

2011: Federer received tour Sportsmanship Award in 2011

In 2011, Roger Federer received the tour Sportsmanship Award.

2012: First major win since 2012

Coming back from a break down in the fifth set, Federer defeated Rafael Nadal to win his first major since 2012 at the 2017 Australian Open. The final also marked Federer's 100th match at the Australian Open, and Federer's first-ever Grand Slam victory over Nadal outside of the grass courts.

2012: Return to Grand Slam wins since 2012

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: Federer's Start to the 2012 Season

In 2012, Federer reached the semifinal of the Australian Open, losing to Nadal. He won the Rotterdam Open for the first time since 2005 and the Dubai Championships. He also won the Indian Wells Masters.

2012: Federer won a men's singles silver medal at the Olympics in 2012

In 2012, Roger Federer won a men's singles silver medal at the Olympics.

2012: Federer's Wimbledon Victory and Olympic Silver Medal

In 2012, Roger Federer won his seventh Wimbledon championship, tying Sampras' Open Era record. He returned to the top spot in the world rankings. At the Summer Olympics, he won a silver medal after losing the final to Murray.

2013: Federer won Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2013

In 2013, Roger Federer won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award.

2014: Sedgman ranked Federer number two in 2014

In 2014, Frank Sedgman ranked Roger Federer number two behind Jack Kramer in his greatest male tennis players of all-time list in his autobiography 'Game, Sedge and Match'.

2014: Davis Cup Win

In 2014, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka led the Switzerland Davis Cup team to their first title.

2014: Davis Cup quest and advancement to the final

In 2014, Stanislas Wawrinka's emergence as a Grand Slam singles champion renewed hope for Federer in his Davis Cup quest. Wins over Serbia, Kazakhstan (where Federer won his first deciding rubber), and Italy allowed the Swiss team to advance to the final for the first time since 1992.

2015: First win over Djokovic since 2015

At the 2019 ATP Finals, Federer defeated Djokovic (his first win over Djokovic since 2015).

2015: Brisbane title and 1,000 wins

In 2015, Federer won the Brisbane International, defeating Milos Raonic, becoming the third man in the Open Era to achieve 1,000 or more wins. He defended his title at the Dubai Championships and reached the Indian Wells final, losing to Djokovic.

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: Federer won Laureus World Comeback of the Year award in 2017

Following his 2017 comeback season, Roger Federer won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award.

2017: Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships Win

In 2017, Roger Federer won the Australian Open over Nadal and a record eighth singles title at the Wimbledon Championships.

2017: Masters title, career titles record, and ATP Finals

In 2017, at the Shanghai Masters Federer captured his third Masters title of the season, defeating No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final. Federer then defeated Juan Martín del Potro in the final of the Swiss Indoors to surpass Ivan Lendl in number of career titles. Federer qualified for the 2017 ATP Finals, but was beaten by David Goffin in the semifinals.

2018: 20th Major Title and Oldest ATP World No. 1

At the 2018 Australian Open, Roger Federer became the first man to win 20 major singles titles and shortly after became the oldest ATP world No. 1 at the time, at age 36.

2018: Federer won Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award in 2018

In 2018, Roger Federer won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.

2018: Tennis.com listed Federer as the greatest in 2018

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

2019: Guinness World Records

As of 2019, Roger Federer holds the third-highest number of Guinness World Records within one discipline, totaling 30 records, with 18 being performance-based.

2019: Djokovic surpasses record held by Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic

At the 2018 Australian Open, Federer reached the final without dropping a set, and successfully defended his title beating Marin Čilić in a five-set final. It was Federer's sixth title at the Australian Open, equaling the then record held by Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic, which was surpassed by Djokovic in 2019.