The last 5 changes in the No.1 ranking in men’s tennis

6 July, 2009 – Roger Federer

In 2008, Federer won just one Grand Slam title – at the US Open over Andy Murray. That by Federer’s lofty standards of the time was a huge disappointment.

That year saw Federer defeated by Nadal in two Grand Slam finals back-to-back at the French Open and at his favourite Wimbledon, where incidentally he was going for six straight wins to break Björn Borg’s record.

At the Australian Open, he had lost earlier in the semi-finals rather tamely to eventual winner Djokovic, a loss that ended his record of 10 consecutive finals. It was also revealed later in the year that Federer had suffered from mononucleosis that year which affected his performances on court.

He ended the year as world no. 2 after Nadal had managed to overhaul him to the top ranking.

In 2009, Federer achieved his Grand Slam dream when he lifted his maiden French Open title beating Robin Soderling in the final. He also completed the double of the French and Wimbledon when he beat Andy Roddick in a thriller a month down the line.

Federer earlier had a heart-wrenching loss at the Australian Open to Nadal, after which he broke down in tears during the presentation ceremony. And he should have ideally had three Grand Slams that year, but he ran into an inspired Juan Martin Del Potro in the final who went on to shock Federer and claim his maiden Grand Slam title.

But the run had been good enough for him to reclaim his No.1 ranking, after his Wimbledon win which saw him go past Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slams.