Federer on verge of breaking Lendl tennis record
Roger Federer on the verge of breaking another record!
NEW YORK, July 2, 2009 – Roger Federer is two match wins away from breaking Pete Sampras’s men’s record of 14 major singles titles, but is only one win away from another important tennis milestone.
As documented by tennis historian and journalist Bud Collins in his book THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS, Federer, with a win over Tommy Haas in Friday’s Wimbledon semifinals, will reach his 20th major singles final, breaking Ivan Lendl’s men’s record of 19.
Federer has reached six Wimbledon finals (Champion 2003-2007, Finalist 2008), five U.S. Open finals (Champion 2004-2008), four French Open finals (Champion 2009, Finalist 2006-2008) and four Australian Open finals (Champion 2004, 2006-2007, Finalist 2009). During Lendl’s storied career, he reached the final of the U.S. Open for an incredible eight straight years (Champion 1985-1987, Finalist 1982-1984, 1988-1989), and also reached five French finals (Champion 1984, 1986-1987, Finalist 1981, 1985), four Australian Open finals (Champion 1989, 1990, Finalist 1983, 1991) and two Wimbledon finals (Finalist 1986-1987).
“Where will it all end?” said Collins of Federer’s assault on the tennis record book. “Roger Federer will, it seems, be reaching his 20th major final, snapping Ivan Lendl’s record of 19. One more major title — he’ll find it somewhere — will send him ahead of Pete Sampras’s 14. He had a slump — all great athletes do — but appears beyond it. However, watch out for the advancing Andy’s – Murray and Roddick.”
THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS ($35.95, 784 pages, New Chapter Press, www.tennistomes.com) is the most authoritative compilation of the records and histories of tennis written and compiled by Collins, the Hall of Fame tennis journalist, broadcaster and personality. Collins’ encyclopedia of tennis history is the ultimate compilation of historical tennis information, including year-by-year recaps of every tennis season, biographical sketches of every major tennis personality, as well as stats, records, and championship rolls for all the major events. The author’s personal relationships with major tennis stars offer insights into the world of professional tennis found nowhere else.
Among those endorsing the book include the two women who hold the Wimbledon record for most total titles – Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King – who both won 20 Wimbledon titles in their careers. Said Navratilova, “If you know nothing about tennis, this book is for you. And if you know everything about tennis—Hah!—Bud knows more, so this book is for you too!” Said King, “We can’t move forward if we don’t understand and appreciate our past. This book not only provides us with accurate reporting of the rich tennis history, it keeps us current on the progress of the sport today.” Also endorsing the book is author, commentator and Sports Illustrated contributor Frank Deford, who stated, “No tennis encyclopedia could be written by anyone but Bud Collins because Bud Collins is the walking tennis encyclopedia—the game’s barefoot professor. The only thing missing about the sport from his new edition is a section about Bud himself. But everything else is there—and it’s easy to
open and use for the whole family.” Said Dick Enberg of CBS Sports and ESPN, “Did you ever see an encyclopedia walking? That’s Bud Collins (who sometimes runs, too). Plunge into his book and swim joyfully through the history of tennis. It’s all here.”
New Chapter Press is also the publisher of The Roger Federer Story, Quest for Perfection (www.rogerfedererbook.com) by Rene Stauffer and Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli among others. Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com) is an independent publisher of books and part of the Independent Publishers Group.