Federer passes Sampras for record time at No. 1

LONDON - The Associated Press

Switzerland's Roger Federer defeats, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4, Great Britain's Andy Murray in their Men Final during day thirteen of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon in London, UK on July 8, 2012. ABACA photo

Roger Federer has surpassed Pete Sampras to set the record for the most weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings.

After winning Wimbledon a week ago, Federer returned to the top for the first time since June 2010 and his 287th week at No. 1, one more than Sampras.
 
The 17-time Grand Slam champion says he’s "extremely proud and honored to have beaten Pete’s record as he was my childhood hero and I have always looked up to him."
 
The Swiss star will enter the Olympics next week as the world’s top-ranked player.
 
Sampras says "the hardest thing to do in sports is the ability to stay on top. Roger has been able to do so by great play and durability."