Roger Federer’s Dominance on the Court, In 16 Astonishing Images

Roger Federer en Allemagne en 2002
Roger Federer at the U.S. Open in 2002.Photo: Getty Images

310: That’s the number of weeks Roger Federer has spent as world number one during his career (second only to Novak Djokovic’s 373)—237 of them consecutively. With 20 Grand Slam victories to his credit, the Swiss-born tennis player has long been hailed as one of his sport’s very best.

Now, as we await Federer’s return to the tour following a knee surgery—and to help celebrate his 42nd birthday—we take a look back at 17 thrilling shots of the master at play. 

Roger Federer à Wimbledon le 2 juillet 2001
Roger Federer playing Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer en Allemagne en 2002
At the U.S. Open in 2002.Ron Antonelli/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Roger Federer à la Hyundai Hopman Cup en janvier 2002
Tossing his racket at the Hyundai Hopman Cup in Australia in January 2002.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer à Roland Garros à Paris le 25 mai 1999
At the French Open in 1999.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer au Rothenbaum Tennis Centre en Australie le 15 mai 2003
During the Hamburg Masters Series in Germany in 2003.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer au Wimbledon Tennis Championships le 4 juillet 2003
During the men’s semi-final at Wimbledon in 2003.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer au Ericsson Open Tennis Center à Crandon Park à Miami le 29 mars 2001
At the Ericsson Open in Miami in 2001.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer au Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships le 6 juillet 2003
Winning his first Wimbledon trophy in 2003.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer à la Davis Cup Semi Final en Australie le 19 septembre 2003
Playing in the Davis Cup in Australia in 2003.Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
Roger Federer à l U.S. Open à Flushing MeadowsCorona Park en 2001
At the U.S. Open in 2001.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer au Arthur Ashe Stadium pendant l U.S. Open à Flushing MeadowsCorona Park en 2002
After winning his semi-final match against Lleyton Hewitt at the U.S. Open in 2002.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer en Australie le 26 septembre 2000
At the Sydney Olympics in 2000.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer au Cincinnati Western Southern ATP Masters Tournament
At the Cincinnati Western Southern ATP Masters Tournament in 2007.William Manning/Corbis via Getty Images
Roger Federer au Ericsson Tennis Championships à Key Biscayne
Warming up during the Ericsson Tennis Championships in Key Biscayne, Florida, in 2001Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer à Wimbledon en 2001
At Wimbledon in 2001.Photo: Getty Images
Roger Federer à Wimbledon le 4 juillet 2001
At Wimbledon in 2001.Photo: Getty Images