WORLD No2 Roger Federer became the first man for more than two decades to reach 1,000 career wins on the ATP Tour as he landed the Brisbane International title yesterday.
Federer beat Canada’s Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4 to claim his 83rd tournament victory and extend his record of winning at least one title a season to 15 years.
The Swiss 17-time grand slam winner is the third player to reach the 1,000-win milestone, after Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
Connors heads the all-time list with 1,253, while Lendl, the last man to achieve the feat in 1992, won 1,071.
“I’ve played a lot of tennis over the years so to get to 1,000 wins means a lot to me,” said Federer. “It’s a special moment, no doubt about that. I will never forget this match.”
Federer’s triumph follows a week of strong performances and is a major boost leading up to the Australian Open, which begins next week in Melbourne.
“We all know today is a significant milestone for Roger,” said Raonic. “When we came out and they listed all the things you’ve won, I thought ‘you must have been playing for 2,000 wins’.”