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While turning over the pages of history, you are almost sure to pause and gasp when the letters of the word 'Roger Federer' rise and float in front of your eyes.
Roger Federer has been to tennis what Bob Dylan has been to the world of literature and music. His racquet has long stood by him and been a faithful ally, weaving magic on the court.
When Federer is not busy charming fans with his prowess over five languages, he lets his balletic performance on the court evoke poetry in their minds.
Federer has been vanquishing records from the very beginning of his career. There are only a few players who can match the overall excellence of the Swiss Maestro. He has waltzed across the court and hit the perfect drop-shots and served aces without a flinch.
In 2018, Federer is still one of those players who keep reminding us that sports doesn't always need to be about technicalities or a constant pursuit of records and numbers.
Sometimes, it needs to be played from the heart. Sometimes, you need to let your racquet dictate your path. Sometimes, you need to pause and hear the poetry, feel the rhythm as you glide across the court.
From spending an enviable 310 weeks at the top spot to being the oldest No. 1 player ever, the 37-year-old Federer is an inspiration to the old and the new alike.
The following is a look back at Federer's journey - right from the very beginning. As we continue to marvel at the genius of the man, some 15 years after a boy with blonde-auburn curls lifted his first Grand Slam, we are bound to get goosebumps when we reminisce how he transformed himself into the Greatest Of All Time. The complete list of Grand Slams by Roger Federer
Let's start at the very beginning!
#1 Wimbledon 2003
Roger Federer v Mark Phillippoussis
At just 21 years of age, the Swiss learnt to taste the sweet flavor of victory when his impeccable skills helped him to cause a major upset in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2003. Federer ousted the American great Andy Roddick in a stiff battle to win the biggest match of his career until then.
He was then ushered into the final to meet with unseeded Australian Mark Phillippoussis. Tucking in those flowing locks of hair neatly behind his ears, Federer established his dominance over the Aussie in 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(3) win to claim his first ever Grand Slam title.
#2 Australian Open 2004
Roger Federer v Marat Safin
With talent bursting through his veins, Federer embarked on creating one of the most memorable years in tennis in 2004 when he won the January-end Australian Open.
On the other side of the net was Marat Safin, who offered firm resistance to Federer's attempt to win his first Major hardcourt title. But after a clinical 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-2 display of shot-making, it was Federer who had opened a page in the history books.
#3 Wimbledon 2004
Roger Federer v Andy Roddick
Ensuring that the magic run did not end, Federer went to back to the lawns of the All England Club as the 22-year-old defending champion of the tournament. It was again Andy Roddick at the other side of the net, seeking vengeance for his semifinal defeat the previous year.
Federer and Roddick fought tooth and nail in a classic Wimbledon final which had Federer retaining the Big W crown for the second year in a row. He defeated the American 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4 to lift his third Grand Slam crown.
#4 US Open 2004
Roger Federer v Lleyton Hewitt
Federer made sure that his dominance in the game didn't elicit much debate with another thunderous performance. He became the first player since 1988 to win three Grand Slams in a year when he triumphed over Lleyton Hewitt in a surprisingly one-sided final where the scorecard read 6-0, 7-6, 6-0.
By then, Federer already had four Grand Slams to his name and ATP World No. 1 ranking to boast of.
#5 Wimbledon 2005
Roger Federer v Andy Roddick
This was the hat-trick year for Federer, as he made it to three back-to-back Wimbledon finals and successfully defended the title once again.
Pitted against arch-rival Andy Roddick once again, it was time for Federer to establish himself as the King of Grass. Federer saw off Roddick in a comfortable 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-4 match to claim his fifth Grand Slam and third Wimbledon title.
#6 US Open 2005
Roger Federer v Andre Agassi
The 2005 Flushing Meadows encounter with the legendary Andre Agassi proved to be a monumental one. With eight Grand Slam titles to his name and still going strong at 35 years of age, Agassi came into the final touted as the a strong contender.
But everybody was vaguely aware of the genius of a certain 24-year-old Swiss, who ended up essaying a spectacular 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1 win. The US Open final turned out to be the last Major final for the American.
#7 Australian Open 2006
Roger Federer v Marcos Baghdatis
2006 turned out to be a year of dreams for the Swiss legend. Federer reached the final of all 4 Grand Slams that year, a feat last accomplished by Australian legend Rod Laver in 1969. Moreover, Federer managed to pull off a spectacular 92-5 match win-loss record in the season to make it one of the greatest in tennis history.
At the beginning of the year he was faced with Marcos Baghdatis in the final of the Australian Open, who he overcame in a 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 battle.
#8 Wimbledon 2006
Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal
2006 was also a memorable year because this was the first time Rafael Nadal had emerged as a force to reckon with even outside clay. Having defeated Federer in their first finale clash at the French Open the same year, the King of Clay set up a date with the King of Grass a month and a half later.
What began from then and still persists now, was a rivalry to rival any that any sport had ever seen. A tight match between the right-handed Federer and the left-handed Nadal ended with Federer triumphing in 6-0, 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 6-3, for the fourth time in a row at Big W.
#9 US Open 2006
Roger Federer v Andy Roddick
Next in line was the US Open, and facing him on the opposite side of the net was a very familiar opponent, Andy Roddick.
The American great seemed determined to defeat the Swiss, who was in his fourth Grand Slam final of the year. However, Federer couldn't be tamed and eventually overcame Roddick 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
#10 Australian Open 2007
Roger Federer v Fernando Gonzalez
By 2007, Federer had broken countless records as he rested undisputed at the perch of the ATP rankings with easy grace. This year proved to be another stellar one for the Swiss as he again made it to the final of all four Grand Slams, eventually winning three.
The year began on a brilliant note as he he won the Australian Open without dropping a set - becoming the first player since Bjorn Borg to do that. Federer defeated Fernando Gonzalez easily in the final, with the score 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4.
#11 Wimbledon 2007
Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal
The 2007 final clash at Big W was the first indication that tennis was at its impeccable best in the hands of Nadal-Federer. With tight points, tireless rallies and classic serve-and-volleys paired with nasty drop shots and smashing overheads, the five-set final had everybody on the edge of their seats.
Federer fought off Nadal to claim his fifth consecutive Big W title when he won 7-6(7), 4-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2.
#12 US Open 2007
Roger Federer v Novak Djokovic
It was in 2007 that the new crop of players came out to show their mettle. Novak Djokovic, a then unfamiliar face in the circuit, turned up in the Flushing Meadow final in 2007.
But facing the Serb was the 11-time Grand Slam champion Federer. The Swiss legend overcame the hurdle posed by the young Djokovic in straight sets, winning 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.
#13 US Open 2008
Roger Federer v Andy Murray
2008 didn't turn out to be a spectacular year for Federer as he suffered defeats at the hands of Nadal in two Grand Slam finals, including Wimbledon. The crushing defeat at Big W brought an end to his five-year winning streak at the All England Club.
Although his health was compromised due to bouts of glandular fever, Federer managed to win his 13th Grand Slam title at the US Open over Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
#14 French Open 2009
Roger Federer v Robin Soderling
2009 became another memorable year in the Federer career when he managed to lay his hands on the French Open trophy which had eluded him for so long.
The tears that streamed down his face when he hit the winning shot was priceless. Robin Soderling, who had slayed Nadal en route to the final, was humbled by the Swiss great 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4!
#15 Wimbledon 2009
Roger Federer v Andy Roddick
The 2009 Wimbledon final proved to be the best that Federer had played against Roddick, and one of the best matches of all time.
Federer was seeking to re-establish his dominance on the grass courts of the All England Club. But what ensued was a battle worth remembering as he and Roddick really dug deep in their attempt to lay claim to the title.
It was Federer who eventually won after a hard-fought 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14 match.
#16 Australian Open 2010
Roger Federer v Andy Murray
Age was beginning to catch up with Federer but he showed no signs of fading out. His consistency was flawless as he went into the final of the Australian Open against Andy Murray.
Federer was quick to slay the Englishman, who was looking for his first Grand Slam win. The Swiss saw him off 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11) and claimed his 16th Grand Slam title, a feat nobody had achieved until then.
#17 Wimbledon 2012
Roger Federer v Andy Murray
2011 went by with Federer being unable to win a single Grand Slam - something that hadn't happened since 2003. But in 2012 he was back in the Wimbledon final.
Andy Murray was waiting on the other side of the net again, determined to win this time. But those expectations were short-lived as Federer managed to win an unparalleled 17th Grand Slam title by executing a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 win.
#18 Australian Open 2017
Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal
The years between 2012 and 2017 were all downhill for Federer. Age crept up on him and ensured that Slam success would elude him for a while.
Federer would crash out in semi-finals or even earlier as he tackled a back injury during those years. Most tennis pundits began writing obituaries for him, but he rose like a phoenix from the ashes and scripted a fairytale comeback in 2017.
It was like old times again. Federer and Nadal produced a classic five-setter that brought delight to tennis fans all over the world. Federer stormed back from a break down in the fifth set to defeat Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 and claim his 18th Grand Slam win.
#19 Wimbledon 2017
Roger Federer v Marin Cilic
Federer was back in no time on his favorite turf at the All England Club. Wisely skipping the entire clay season, Roger ensured he was in top form to try his luck on the grasscourts.
The King of Grass was welcomed back with open arms as Federer went on to defeat an injury-stricken Marin Cilic in the decidedly one-sided final. Federer brought up his 19th Grand Slam victory with a swift 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 win.
#20 Australian Open 2018
Roger Federer v Marin Cilic
Next up was the Australian Open in 2018 where Federer tasted victory yet again. It was a vengeful Marin Cilic on the other side of the net again, ready to take on the 36-year old Swiss.
A tight five-set battle ensued with Federer eventually overpowering the Croat player 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to reign supreme with 20 Grand Slams to his name!
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