Sampras salutes Federer for surpassing his mark of 286 weeks as No.1

Paris, July 17 (ANI): Tennis legend Pete Sampras has saluted World No.1 Roger Federer for surpassing his mark of 286 weeks at the top of the men's rankings.

Federer, already the holder of a record 17 Grand Slam titles, reached the landmark of an unprecedented 287th week as world number one having already pulled level with Sampras on reclaiming top spot after a two-year absence following his seventh Wimbledon title a week ago.

"Great effort. 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," Sampras said on www.atpworldtour.com.

Federer, 31, is guaranteed to keep the number one spot through the London Olympics, extending the mark still further, Sport24 reports.

With the Olympics and US Open fast approaching, Federer shows no sign of his passion for the game waning despite being the second oldest man after Andre Agassi to hold the top ranking.

Federer holds a 75-point lead over world number two Novak Djokovic.

He now has tour-best five titles in 2012, including his 20th Masters crown in Madrid in the run-up to the French Open. (ANI)