Twenty-two years after a 16-year-old Roger Federer made his ATP World Tour debut on home soil in Gstaad, the man they call ‘maestro’ joins Jimmy Connors as only the second player to enter the ‘Century Club’.

On Saturday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Federer displayed a level of comfort on Centre Court that can be expected from someone who had previously won the event seven times. Trading body blows with 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Next Gen ATP champion 17 years his junior, the Swiss legend secured his 100th tour-level title with a 6-4, 6-4 win over the soon-to-be Greek World No. 10 in front of highly engaged, capacity crowd, which showed just how much they love Federer.

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“It’s been a long, wonderful journey… I have loved every minute,” Federer said. “It’s been tough but the sacrifice has been very, very worthwhile and we’ll see how much more I’ve got left in the tank. Reaching 100 is an absolute dream come true for me.”

Having captured his first title in Milan in 2001 as a 19-year-old, Federer has scored at least one trophy in every season since. That's 19 consecutive years of sustained success at the highest level. His career has not only outlasted that Milan tournament (last held in 2005), but also the carpet surface it was played on (last used in 2008) and every other player in the draw, who have all retired since then.

There are no signs that his continued success will stop anytime soon. Although Federer trails the 109 titles that Connors racked up in his career, he’s won at least four titles in 16 of the past 18 seasons. If Federer can stay injury-free for a few more years, he’s playing well enough to catch and possibly surpass the American’s record.

Welcome to the “ Triple Digit” tournament victory club @rogerfederer — I’ve been a bit lonely- glad to have the company !!! — Jimmy Connors (@JimmyConnors) March 2, 2019

But Federer said that chasing down Connors’ record 109 titles is not what motivates him to keep playing.

“I’m just happy that I’m still healthy, that I’ve got such a wonderful team, my family who have supported me for so, so long. I can’t thank them enough.

“If I reach milestones like this along the way it’s wonderful, but I’m really not here to shatter all the records. What Jimmy did was an unbelievable achievement and he should be proud of that. I’m proud of other things I have done. It was a special evening playing Stefanos and seeing the future coming up. It’s part of the journey.”

His milestone moment in Dubai is the latest of Federer's litany of staggering achievements. His greatest? It's impossible to choose just one. Federer has reigned atop the ATP Rankings for a record 310 weeks, including 237 in a row. He owns the most Grand Slam singles titles (20), Nitto ATP Finals crowns (6) and Wimbledon trophies (8) in the Open Era. He also stands alone with 24 consecutive wins vs. Top 10 opposition. But of all these accomplishments, securing 100 titles is arguably one of the most impressive.

In an era of titanic servers and baseline bombers, Federer's fluid, precision-oriented game has enabled him to dominate on the ATP World Tour for nearly two decades. No moment is too great and no shot too improbable. The Basel native has become an impervious force as he enters his late 30s, predicated on unyielding durability and the ability to excel on all surfaces.

‘Heartiest congratulations @rogerfederer

Winning 100 titles during your unbelievable career is a truly mighty achievement.

I expect more to come this year and beyond! #RF100

Rocket — Rod Laver (@rodlaver) March 2, 2019

Remarkably, of Federer's 100 titles, nearly a quarter of them came in consecutive finals from October 2003 to October 2005. It's a streak that will likely never be broken: 24 straight championship matches won. Over a span of two years, it was a guarantee that Federer would step onto a final stage and emerge with the trophy. He entered Vienna in 2003 with a 9-8 record in finals and emerged from Bangkok in 2005 with a stunning 33-8 mark.

The streak ended after an inspired David Nalbandian defeated him in a fifth-set tie-break in the championship match of the 2005 ATP Finals, but even that runner-up showing highlighted his dominance on tour. Federer had missed the previous six weeks nursing a right ankle injury and was on crutches just three weeks before arriving in Shanghai, yet still came within two points of taking the title.

But that championship match streak isn't the only impressive figure among Federer's 100 titles. The Swiss has won four titles without being broken throughout the tournament (Doha 2005, Halle 2008, Cincinnati 2012 & 2015) and owns five wins against World No. 1s in finals - three against Rafael Nadal and two against Novak Djokovic. In addition, he has successfully defended 35 of his titles and 15 of his final victories have come after losing the first set.

Regardless of where you play him, Federer is always up to the challenge. He has won titles on four different surfaces, from hard (69), grass (18), clay (11) and carpet (2). Federer also owns titles in 19 different countries, enjoying the majority of his success in the United States (22).

Federer has spread the love around multiple events during his storied career. He is the only player with seven or more crowns at five different tournaments, achieving the feat in Halle (9), Basel, (9), Wimbledon (8), Dubai (8) and Cincinnati (7).

As the Swiss maestro continues to push the limits and defy the odds, no record is safe. Having already made an indelible mark on the sport, he is proving that nothing is impossible.

Federer Fast Facts

Grand Slam titles: 20

Nitto ATP Finals titles: 6

ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles: 27

ATP World Tour 500 titles: 22

ATP World Tour 250 titles: 25</s>20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will look to clinch his 100th title when he squares off with Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships on Saturday.

Unlike his previous rounds of the ongoing tournament, Federer was a completely different player in the semi-final clash as he broke Borna Coric of Croatia four times before eventually clinching a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win in one hour and seven minutes.

The Swiss tennis star will now look to take avenge of his shocking Australian Open defeat at the hands of 20-year-old Tsitsipas, who registered a 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6 win in a thrilling last-16 clash at Rod Laver Arena to become the first Greek ever to book his place in the quarterfinals and later the semi-finals of a Grand Slam.

If Federer wins the final clash in Dubai, he will become only the second player in the Open Era after American great Jimmy Connors to have won 100 titles. Connors has a total of 109 titles to his name.

Earlier, Tsitsipas rebounded strongly from a set down to register a 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(4) win over Gael Monfils of France. The win also saw him become first tennis player from his country to break into top 10 of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings.</s>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Add a century of career titles to Roger Federer's staggering list of achievements in tennis.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion became the second male tennis player to win 100 tour-level tournament titles in the professional era when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday.

Jimmy Connors is the other male player to reach the milestone, and the American ended his career on 109 titles.

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By beating a player nearly half his age in just 69 minutes, the 37-year-old Federer continued his record of winning at least one title every season since his first in 2001 in Milan — when he was 19.

Eight of his victories have come in Dubai.

"It's an absolute dream come true right now," Federer said on the court.

As well as his record haul of Grand Slam titles, which includes a record eight wins at Wimbledon, Federer has won a record six ATP Finals titles and topped the rankings for a record 310 weeks — including 237 straight.

In a battle of the generations, Federer partially avenged his loss to the 20-year-old Tsitsipas, a rising star from Greece, in the last 16 of the Australian Open in January.

Federer broke serve in the first game and took the first set on his fourth set point.

The second set was more even, but Tsitsipas made the first big mistake in dumping an easy shot into the net to loose serve for 5-4. Federer held serve to love to join Connors in the century club.

GO BEYOND THE GAME: Go inside the breaking news and box scores with insights, detailed analysis and metrics in our Texas Sports Nation newsletter. Subscribe here.</s>When you are Roger Federer, landmarks and records tend to follow, by even by the legendary Swiss' standards, victory in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships broke new ground as he claimed his 100th ATP title.

Having been knocked out of the Australian Open by Stefanos Tsitsipas with a surprise fourth-round defeat in the year's opening major, Federer gained revenge with a dominant 6-4 6-4 victory that makes him just the second man to reach three figures for singles titles.

Jimmy Connors (109) is the only other man to achieve the feat in the professional era and Federer has been stuck on 99 since his lifting the trophy in Basel in October, but Saturday's win adds another achievement to his incredible list of feats.

The 37-year-old has won more men's Grand Slam singles titles than anyone else, winning his 20th with success in Melbourne last year so his next goal is to add major No 21 but for now he can bask in the glory of yet another title triumph.

More than 18 years after beating Julien Boutter to claim his first title in Milan in February 2001, Federer brought up the century with a typically classy display, needing just 69 minutes to demolish the 20-year-old Greek sensation.

A single break in each set backed up by a dominant performance on his own serve was enough for Federer to claim an eighth Dubai title and with it a win that will move him back up to world No 4 on Monday.

"I'm delighted. It's great to win my eighth here in Dubai and in combination with my 100th singles title," Federer said in his on-court interview that saw him also shower praise on his talented, yet vanquished opponent.

"To win in Marseille and then come here was difficult for Stefanos. I don't know if Stefanos was born when I won my first title.

"It's a privilege because I'll be watching them on the TV. It was a treat to play Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. I'm sure Stefanos will have a wonderful career - tennis is in good hands regardless if I'm there or not."

Tsitsipas' run in Dubai means he will rise into the world's top 10 for the first time on Monday while Federer will head for Indian Wells looking to pick up a first Masters crown since 2017 and he seems in the mood for more landmarks.

The tennis world was out in force to pay tribute to Federer's latest achievement, from the tournaments he has won to the players he has beaten, everyone was full of praise.....

We have the tennis season covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.</s>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Add 100 career titles to Roger Federer’s staggering list of achievements in tennis.

Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion, became the second male tennis player to win 100 tour-level tournament titles in the professional era when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-4, 6-4, in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday.

Jimmy Connors is the other male player to reach the milestone, and he ended his career with 109 titles.

By beating a player nearly half his age in only 69 minutes, Federer, 37, continued his record of winning at least one title every season since his first in 2001 in Milan — when he was 19.</s>Roger Federer has claimed a historic landmark in his career after he won his 100th title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday.

 

The 37-year-old Swiss and 20-time Grand Slam champion is only the second man in the Open era to reach the three-figure mark in accolades after American Jimmy Connors, who won 109 titles.

Swiss Federer also avenged his shock defeat by Tsitsipas in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.

"I'm delighted. It's great to win my eighth here in Dubai and in combination with my 100th singles title," Federer said.

"Tough conditions and tough opponents. To win in Marseille and then come here was difficult for Stefanos."

Federer, who had been stuck on 99 titles since triumphing at his hometown Basel tournament in October, broke Tsitsipas in the first game of the match and saved two break points at 5-4 to claim the first set in 36 minutes.

Tsitsipas, who will break into the top 10 for the first time on Monday, held firm up to 4-4 in the second set before the 37-year-old Federer switched gears to seal the decisive break and close out the victory.

"I don't know if Stefanos was born when I won my first title," Federer joked.

"It's a privilege (to play against potential champions) because I'll be watching them on TV. It was a treat to play Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. I'm sure Stefanos will have a wonderful career.

"Tennis is in good hands regardless if I'm there or not," Federer said.

Previously Tsitsipas won his only previous meeting with Federer, completing a four-set victory over the Swiss in a round of 16 match at this year's Australian Open.

On Friday in the semi-finals of the championships, Federer claimed two breaks of Croatian Borna Coric's serve in either set on the way to a 6-2, 6-2 win that took just over an hour.</s>Tennis great Roger Federer has become the second player to win 100 ATP singles titles tournaments with a straight sets victory over Greek wonderkid Stefanos Tsipitas 6-4,6-4 in the final of the Dubai Open on Saturday.

The Swiss 20-time Grand Slam winner bagged his eighth Dubai title against Tsitsipas, but he didn't have it all his own way: the 20-year-old matched Federer work all the way in both sets but in the end, the experience of the 37-year-old proved too much for the youngster.

With the win, Federer becomes only the second player after American Jimmy Connors, whose total singles wins stands at 109, to reach the milestone.

World number seven Federer also avenged his loss to Greece's rising star in the last 16 of the Australian Open in January.

"I'm delighted. It's great to win my eighth here in Dubai and in combination with my 100th singles title," said Federer following his victory, BBC Sport reported.

"I don't know if Stefanos was born when I won my first title...Tennis is in good hands regardless if I'm there or not," he added.

The result means Federer will return to world number four on Monday while Tsitsipas will break into the top 10 for the first time.</s>Roger Federer became the second male tennis player to win 100 career titles when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday.

The record 20-time Grand Slam champion won 6-4, 6-4 and joined Jimmy Connors in reaching a century of tour-level tournament titles, with eight of them now coming in Dubai.

Federer partially avenged his loss to the 20-year-old Tsitsipas, a rising star from Greece, in the last 16 of the Australian Open in January.

Swiss Federer also avenged his shock defeat by Tsitsipas in the Australian Open fourth round in January.

"I'm delighted. It's great to win my eighth here in Dubai and in combination with my 100th singles title," Federer said.

"Tough conditions and tough opponents. To win in Marseille and then come here was difficult for Stefanos."

Federer, who had been stuck on 99 titles since triumphing at his hometown Basel tournament in October, broke Tsitsipas in the first game of the match and saved two break points at 5-4 to claim the first set in 36 minutes.

Tsitsipas, who will break into the top 10 for the first time on Monday, held firm up to 4-4 in the second set before the 37-year-old Federer switched gears to seal the decisive break and close out the victory.

"I don't know if Stefanos was born when I won my first title," Federer joked.

"It's a privilege (to play against potential champions) because I'll be watching them on TV. It was a treat to play Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. I'm sure Stefanos will have a wonderful career.

"Tennis is in good hands regardless if I'm there or not."</s>Roger Federer claimed the 100th ATP title of his career by beating 20-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4 in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday.

The 20-times Grand Slam champion became the second man in the Open Era to claim 100 titles after American Jimmy Connors who won 109.

Swiss Federer also avenged his shock defeat by Tsitsipas in the Australian Open fourth round in January.

'I'm delighted. It's great to win my eighth here in Dubai and in combination with my 100th singles title,' Federer said.

'To win in Marseille and then come here was difficult for Stefanos.'

Federer, who had been stuck on 99 titles since triumphing at his hometown Basel tournament in October, broke Tsitsipas in the first game of the match and saved two break points at 5-4 to claim the first set in 36 minutes.

Tsitsipas, who will break into the top 10 for the first time on Monday, held firm up to 4-4 in the second set before the 37-year-old Federer switched gears to seal the decisive break and close out the victory.

'I don't know if Stefanos was born when I won my first title,' Federer joked.

'It's a privilege (to play against potential champions) because I'll be watching them on TV. It was a treat to play Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. I'm sure Stefanos will have a wonderful career.

'Tennis is in good hands regardless if I'm there or not.'</s>Roger Federer won his 100th career title on Saturday when he defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Dubai Championships.

The 37-year-old Swiss star is the second man to achieve the feat after America’s Jimmy Connors who ended his career with 109 titles.

Martina Navratilova is way out in front, however, having clinched 167 women’s singles crowns in her career. Saturday’s title was Federer’s eighth in Dubai.
Roger Federer wins the 2019 Dubai Tennis Championships, his 100th ATP singles title overall, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6–4, 6–4, in the final. Federer became the second male tennis player in the Open Era after Jimmy Connors to win 100 ATP singles titles.