Roger Federer’s record 17th Grand Slam title captured at Wimbledon moved him back to No. 1, tying Pete Sampras for most weeks on top of the world rankings. Victoria Azarenka, a semifinalist at Wimbledon, returned to the No. 1 spot in the women’s tennis rankings. Azarenka replaced Maria Sharapova on top in a strong shake-up of the Top 10. Only one player — fifth-ranked Samantha Stosur — is in the same ranking position as before Wimbledon.
Federer defeated Andy Murray in four sets Sunday in winning the Wimbledon men’s singles title for a seventh time. That ties William Renshaw (1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1889) and Sampras (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) for the most wins at Wimbledon. Federer’s titles came in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2012).
It is the third time he’s reached the No. 1 ranking. The first time was Feb. 2, 2004, for 237 weeks until Aug. 17, 2008. He was also No. 1 from July 6, 2009, until June 6, 2010. His Wimbledon win ends Novak Djokovic’s 53-week run at No. 1 and marks the 286th week Federer has been on top of the rankings. That matches Sampras’ all-time mark. Federer has 11,075 rankings points, just ahead of Djokovic’s 11,000. Federer beat Djokovic in the Wimbledon semifinals. Rafael Nadal (8,905) goes from second to third this week. Murray has 7,460 points and remains No. 4, with David Ferrer (5,430) at fifth and Jo-Wilfried-Tsonga, the other Wimbledon semifinalist, at 5,230 and in sixth.
Serena Williams defeated Agnieszka Radwanska for the women’s singles title last Saturday. It was her fifth Wimbledon championship overall — and third in four years — and 14th Grand Slam title. That boosted Williams from sixth to No. 4 while Radwanska moved from third to second. Azarenka retook the No. 1 spot, which she held for 19 weeks after winning the 2012 Australian Open. Maria Sharapova, whose win at the French Open allowed her to replace Azarenka in the top spot, slipped to third. She was ousted in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
