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Record breaker Federer has McEnroe in his sights
By Li Jian (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-11-11 06:37
LONDON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Roger Federer is a greedy man.
Not satisfied with running away with the world number one tennis ranking and
becoming only the second man after Pete Sampras to win more than $5 million in
prize money in a single season, the Swiss is eyeing another record at the
Masters Cup.
Should he remain undefeated and capture his 12th title of the year in
Shanghai next week, Federer will equal John McEnroe's professional-era record of
best match-winning percentage (.965) in a calendar year.
McEnroe compiled an 82-3 win-loss ratio en route to winning 13 titles in 1984
and Federer -- enjoying a 77-3 record in 2005 -- is poised to match the mark.
The six-times grand slam champion is on a 31-match winning streak and would
probably have improved on McEnroe's feat had he not been sidelined for the past
month with an ankle injury.
Despite setting new standards almost every time he steps on to a tennis
court, Federer remains nonchalant at the prospect of entering his own name next
to McEnroe's in the history books.
"I've made loads of records but everybody has their share of records," the
Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion said recently.
"The three matches I lost, in two of them I had match point so they got a
little lucky.
"But I wonder why I always play so well, especially on the big occasions. It
just seems to click for me."
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